Prevalence of deleterious oral habits in school going children in Bagalkot region of Karnataka

Abstract

Oral habits, especially if they persist beyond the preschool age, have been implicated as an important environmental etiological factor associated with the development of malocclusion. This study included 2719 children in age group of 11-14 years in school going children in Bagalkot region of Karnataka. This study aims to find the prevalence of habits, malocclusion and their association with the socio- economic status. The children were examined in the schools and the presence or absence of the thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, nail biting and mouth breathing habit were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. On clinical examination it shows Prevalence of Habits of 44.9% with 5.5% of thumb sucking, 31.7% tongue thrusting, 7.3%mouthbreathing and 19.1% nail biting. It is concluded that the prevalence of malocclusion is high showing 51.1% and showing no significant difference in rural and urban areas. prevalence of Oral habits is high showing 44.9%, showing predominantly tongue thrusting and nail biting habits. Oral habits are seen more in rural area compared to the urban area as they belong to different socioeconomic status. Tongue thrusting which is showing statistically significant relationship is more prevalent in rural areas of north Karnataka region of Bagalkot. Keywords: Nail biting, Mouth breathing, Oral habits, Thumb sucking, Tongue thrusting.