Family praying together, symbolizing the connection between faith and oral well-being.

Faith and Well-being: How Family Religiosity Impacts Your Child's Oral Health

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"Discover the surprising link between family religious practices and improved oral health in children, offering a holistic approach to well-being."

In today's fast-paced world, maintaining good oral health for our children often feels like another task on an already overflowing to-do list. We diligently schedule dental appointments, encourage regular brushing, and monitor sugar intake, all in the hopes of ensuring bright smiles and healthy gums. But what if there was another, perhaps unexpected, factor that could significantly influence our children's oral health? A growing body of research suggests that family religiosity – the shared religious beliefs and practices within a family – may play a vital role in promoting better oral health outcomes in children.

Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is a broad concept that goes beyond just having healthy teeth. It encompasses the impact of oral health conditions on daily functions, well-being, and overall quality of life. Factors such as socioeconomic status, social connections, and individual behaviors all contribute to a person's OHRQoL. Understanding these influences allows for more effective public health policies and targeted interventions.

Now, a new study conducted in Brazil has shed light on the intriguing connection between family religiosity and OHRQoL in schoolchildren. This research, published in the Brazilian Dental Journal, reveals that family religious practices can indeed have a positive impact on a child's oral health and overall well-being. Let's delve into the details of this study and explore the potential benefits of incorporating faith into our approach to children's health.

The Study: Unpacking the Link Between Faith and Oral Health

Family praying together, symbolizing the connection between faith and oral well-being.

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study involving 1,134 twelve-year-old schoolchildren from public schools in Santa Maria, Brazil. The children underwent dental examinations to assess their oral health status, including dental caries (tooth decay) and gingival bleeding (gum inflammation). The participants also completed questionnaires to evaluate their OHRQoL, socioeconomic background, and family religious practices. The study focused specifically on the frequency of family religious activities, such as attending church and engaging in religious practices at home.

The study revealed a significant association between family religiosity and OHRQoL in the participating children. Specifically, children from families who engaged in religious practices less than once a week were found to have higher scores on the "symptoms" domain of the OHRQoL questionnaire, indicating a poorer perception of their oral health. These children also had higher overall OHRQoL scores, suggesting a negative impact on their overall well-being related to their oral health.

Reduced Caries: Studies have shown that families with strong religious beliefs tend to have lower levels of dental caries (cavities) in their children.
Improved Periodontal Health: Religiosity has been linked to a decreased risk of periodontal diseases (gum disease).
Better Self-Rated Oral Health: Individuals who practice their religion regularly often report a more positive perception of their oral health.

These findings suggest that family religiosity may play a protective role in promoting better oral health outcomes in children. But how does this connection work? Let's explore some of the potential mechanisms behind this fascinating relationship.

Faith as a Foundation for Holistic Well-being

The Brazilian study offers valuable insights into the potential benefits of incorporating family religiosity into our approach to children's health. By fostering a sense of community, promoting positive social interactions, and encouraging healthy behaviors, family religious practices can contribute to improved oral health outcomes and overall well-being in children. As parents and caregivers, we can consider how to integrate faith-based principles and practices into our families' lives to support the holistic development of our children. Further research is needed to fully understand the complex interplay between religiosity, social capital, and health outcomes. However, this study provides a compelling starting point for exploring the potential of faith as a foundation for holistic well-being in children.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/0103-6440201801965, Alternate LINK

Title: Family Religiosity And Oral Health Related Quality Of Life: A Multilevel Analysis In Brazilian Schoolchildren.

Subject: General Dentistry

Journal: Brazilian Dental Journal

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Gabriele Rissotto Menegazzo, Camila Silveira Sfreddo, Patrícia Kolling Marquezan, Yassmín Hêllwaht Ramadan, Thiago Machado Ardenghi

Published: 2018-08-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does family religiosity relate to a child's oral health, specifically concerning dental caries and periodontal health?

Family religiosity is associated with improved oral health outcomes in children, including reduced levels of dental caries (cavities) and a decreased risk of periodontal diseases (gum disease). These benefits are potentially linked to the social and behavioral norms fostered within religious communities, which promote healthy habits and overall well-being, thus positively impacting oral health. The study in the Brazilian Dental Journal reveals that children from families who engaged in religious practices less than once a week were found to have higher scores on the "symptoms" domain of the OHRQoL questionnaire, indicating a poorer perception of their oral health. These children also had higher overall OHRQoL scores, suggesting a negative impact on their overall well-being related to their oral health.

What is Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL), and what factors influence it in children?

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) encompasses the impact of oral health conditions on daily functions, well-being, and overall quality of life. It extends beyond just having healthy teeth to include how oral health affects a person's ability to eat, speak, and socialize comfortably. Factors influencing OHRQoL include socioeconomic status, social connections, individual behaviors, and, as research suggests, family religiosity. Understanding these influences is crucial for developing public health policies and targeted interventions to improve children's oral health and overall well-being.

Can engaging in family religious practices really influence the well-being and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of children? If so, how?

Yes, engaging in family religious practices can positively influence the well-being and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of children. Religious practices foster a sense of community, promote positive social interactions, and encourage healthy behaviors. These factors contribute to improved oral health outcomes, a better perception of one's oral health, and overall well-being. The recent study highlighted religious engagement and less impact on oral health.

What did the study in Brazil reveal about the connection between family religious practices and children's oral health?

The study conducted in Brazil revealed a significant association between family religiosity and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in schoolchildren. It found that children from families who engaged in religious practices more frequently reported a more positive perception of their oral health and had better overall well-being related to their oral health. Specifically, the study assessed dental caries and gingival bleeding, linking less frequent family religious activities to poorer oral health perceptions. This suggests that integrating faith-based principles may promote better oral health outcomes.

Beyond brushing and dental visits, how can parents incorporate faith to promote better oral health and holistic well-being for their children, and what are the implications of this approach?

Parents can integrate faith by fostering a sense of community through regular participation in religious activities, promoting positive social interactions by involving children in faith-based groups, and encouraging healthy behaviors by teaching values of self-care and moderation rooted in religious teachings. The implications include potentially improved oral health outcomes, such as reduced dental caries and better periodontal health, along with enhanced overall well-being. The study highlights that family religiosity may play a protective role in promoting better oral health outcomes in children. Integrating faith-based principles and practices into families' lives supports the holistic development of children.