Journal of Research and Advancement in Dentistry
Official publication of Magadh University and Kolhan University, Government of Bihar and Jharkhand, India
Official publication of Magadh University and Kolhan University, Government of Bihar and Jharkhand, India
Year : 2020
Volume : Volume 11
Issue : Issue 2
Address for correspondence :
Dr. Saloni Bharti.
drsalonibharti2424@gmail.com
Background: Oral habits are learned pattern of muscle contraction and have a complex nature. An oral habit in infancy and early childhood is normal and it is considered abnormal over 3 years old. The persistence of the oral habits has little effect on child health but can affect the facial growth. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of oral habits in children of age 3 to 10 years. Material and methods: The study was conducted in a sample of 740 children, aged between 3 and 10 years. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to get data from the parents of the study participants. Deleterious oral habits were screened by trained personnel using mouth mirrors and probes. Clinical evaluation for mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, thumb-sucking, bruxism, pencil/nail biting, and lip/cheek biting was done. Following the examination, a health educational talk was delivered using study models. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0. P< 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: In the present study a total of 740 children in which 61.62% were females and 38.37% were males. Among the children assessed, 395 children reported with only one oral habit, 112 had 2 oral habits, and 45 had 3 oral habits and total 552(74.59%) children had habits. Most common oral habits in females were mouth breathing, tongue thrusting whereas in males mouth breathing and thumb sucking was most common. Most common oral habits in the age group 3-6 yrs were mouth breathing, thumb sucking whereas in age group 710yrs mouth breathing and tongue thrusting was most common. Conclusion: This study concluded that overall prevalence of oral habit in children of age group 3-10 years was high. Most common oral habits in females were mouth breathing, tongue thrusting whereas in males mouth breathing and thumb sucking was most common. Most common oral habits in the age group 3-6 yrs were mouth breathing, thumb sucking whereas in age group 7-10yrs mouth breathing and tongue thrusting was most common.
Keywords: Oral habits, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, thumb-sucking, bruxism.
