The Evaluation of Occlusion Characteristic and Deleterious Oral Habits in 3- to 5-year-old Children

Abstract

Aim: Malocclusion is a prevalent public health concern, impacting craniofacial growth and development, and significantly affecting the quality of life of children in terms of oral health. This study investigated the prevalence of malocclusion in children aged 3 to 5 years, aiming to understand its occlusal characteristics, deleterious oral habits, correlations, and their parents’ attitudes toward malocclusion. Materials and Method: This cross-sectional study included 275 children aged 3-5 and their parents. The occlusion characteristics of the children participating in the study, including the relationship of the primary molar and canine teeth, overjet, crossbite, deep bite and anterior open bite, were evaluated and recorded by a researcher. A 7-item questionnaire was administered to the parents to collect sociodemographic data and oral health habits of the children's parents. The chi-square test was used for statistical assessment of results. Results: The results revealed that 40.7% of the children had malocclusion during their primary dentition period. It was found that the most common malocclusion was deep bite (15.7%) and harmful oral habits, especially bruxism (16.3%), were commonly observed among children in the researched age group. Conclusion: The results of this study will play an important role in shaping future oral health planning, especially regarding malocclusions seen in the primary dentition. It is thought that the findings from the study will guide strategies to improve oral health and preventive measures.