Reseachers from the University of California have found that mothers with untreated tooth decay are more likely to have children with the same condition. Thus, it is important to for dentist to assess family oral health in order to properly manage a child's oral health.

Other studies have found that poverty and stress create chemical changes in children's saliva which contribute to tooth decay. Reseacher from a university in Canada performed detailed dental examiniations to count decayed, missing teeth or filled dental surfaces in a group of kindergarten children from varying social backgrounds. It was found that decay was linked with three factors ie. high levels of decay-causing bacteria, high levels of hormone call corisol and a family income below poverty level.

Researchers found that family stresses and stress-related changes in oral biology might explain, fully or in part the known socioeconomic disparities in dental health.