Abstract
BackgroundDigit sucking can represent untreated anxiety or other emotional problems. The aim of this study was to determine if digit sucking is a predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety; and if general and dental anxiety are associated with caries and oral hygiene status of children resident in sub-urban Nigeria.MethodsThis was a secondary data analysis of a household survey conducted in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The level of general anxiety and dental anxiety of 450 6 to12 year old children were measured using the Revised Child Manifest Anxiety Scale and Dental Subscale of the Child Fear Survey Schedule respectively. Presence of digit sucking habit, caries and oral hygiene status were determined. General anxiety and dental anxiety scores were dichotomized into low and high levels respectively. Logistic regression was conducted to determine if digit sucking was a predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety; and if general anxiety and dental anxiety were predictors caries and good oral hygiene status. Adjustments were made for age and sex.ResultsDigit sucking is not a significant predictor of dental anxiety (p = 0.99) and general anxiety (p = 0.79). Children with high general anxiety (AOR: 5.02; 95% CI: 2.9–9.74; p < 0.001) and high dental anxiety (AOR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.15–2.65; p = 0.009) had higher odds of having caries and good oral hygiene respectively.ConclusionDigit sucking was not a significant predictor of general anxiety and dental anxiety. General and dental anxiety however, had effects on the likelihood of having caries and good oral hygiene.
Highlights
Digit sucking can represent untreated anxiety or other emotional problems
This study will determine if general anxiety and dental anxiety are associated with caries and oral hygiene status of children resident in sub-urban Nigeria
After adjusting for age, sex and dental anxiety, general anxiety was still a significant predictor of presence caries: children who had high general anxiety (AOR: 5.02; 95% CI: 2.59–9.74; p < 0.001) had higher odds of having caries when compared with children with low general anxiety
Summary
Digit sucking can represent untreated anxiety or other emotional problems. Digit sucking and nail biting are referred to as nervous NNS habits [1]. These habits are prevalent in normally developing preschool children, and they reflect the state of the mood [1]. Digit sucking is a normal behavior for young children because they are born with a natural sucking instinct [3] For most infants, this instinct can last up to the sixth month of life, while for some sucking the habit can continue beyond the sixth month of life when it becomes a soothing and comforting behavior for scared, hungry, sleepy, bored or anxious children [3]. When the habit persists beyond 4 years of age, it can represent untreated anxiety or other emotional problems [4]
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