Oral Habits: Prevalence and Effects on Occlusion Among 7 to 13 Years Old School Children in Aseer, Saudi Arabia

M Zakirulla,Sahar N Fageeh,Abdulaziz H Hudaybi,Salem Almoammar,Mohammed G Ali,Ali Dhafer Alshehri,Abeer A Alghothimi

doi:10.1590/pboci.2020.094

M Zakirulla, Sahar N Fageeh + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/pboci.2020.094

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Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of deleterious oral habits and its effect on occlusion in school going children from 7 to 13 years old, in Aseer region of Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by clinical examination for the total sample of 750, who were attending private/ government schools in Aseer region school. Students were selected by stratified cluster random sampling. Clinical findings of each oral habits, including assessment of malocclusion, were examined involving the following parameters, i.e., crowding, spacing, open bite, crossbite and deep bite. Logistic regression analysis was conducted . Results: Boys had 26.2 % of crowded teeth, while 16.3% of girls were found to have crowded teeth; the difference was found to be significant (p=0.002). Spacing was present in 26.4% of boys and 16.7% girls; a significant difference was found between the two (p=0.002). Sleep bruxism was observed more among male subjects than females with a statistically significant difference in detrimental habits (p<0.001). Those subjects having tongue thrusting are 1.264 times at more risk of having crowded teeth than those with no tongue thrusting . Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of malocclusion associated with harmful oral habits in children. This highlighted the need to implement programs of oral care and health education for preventive orthodontic treatment at an early age.

Highlights

The prevalence of oral habits varied among different societies [1,2]
There was a high prevalence of malocclusion associated with harmful oral habits in children
This study showed that significant relationships existed between deleterious oral habits and malocclusions

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of oral habits varied among different societies [1,2]. The extent of these effects varies from case to case, depending on a wide range of variables including the actual habit employed, the duration and intensity of the habit, and the inherent dental and skeletal relationship. The severity of the malocclusion correlated with oral habits depends on the frequency, duration and intensity of the habit [6]. These habits disrupt muscular balance and bone growth, producing changes in the dental arch and occlusal characteristics. The cost, time and resource implications of the treatment of malocclusions caused by prolonged oral habits are significant for many patients, especially those who are unable to afford such care [7]

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Conclusion