Oral habits and malocclusion in children resident in Ile-Ife Nigeria

Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2019 Jun;20(3):257-265. doi: 10.1007/s40368-018-0391-3. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Abstract

Aim: To determine the: prevalence of oral habits in children aged 1-12 years in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State Nigeria; association between oral habits and malocclusion in children aged 6-12 years; differences in orthodontic treatment needs of children with and without oral habits and the effect of digit sucking severity on occlusal profile.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that collected data through a household survey. Information collected included the age, gender, and oral habits of study participants. Intra-oral examination was conducted. The Dental Aesthetic Index (DAI) was used to assess orthodontic treatment needs for 6-12-year-old participants. Independent sample t test was used to compare mean DAI scores of participants with and without oral habits. A digit sucking severity index was developed and digit sucking severity was determined.

Results: One hundred and thirty (13.1%) study participants had 142 oral habits. The most common oral habit was digit sucking. The most common malocclusion traits were spacing (29.9%), crowding (21.7%) and increased overjet (16.4%). DAI scores were significantly higher in participants with tongue thrusting (p < 0.001) and bruxism (p = 0.01) habits compared with participants without the habits. Among the 67 participants with oral habits, 54 (80.6%) had no need for treatment, 9 (13.4%) needed elective treatment and treatment was mandatory for 4 (6.0%) participants.

Conclusions: Digit sucking was the most frequently practiced oral habit in the study population. Tongue thrusting and bruxism were significantly associated with greater severity of malocclusion in children 6-12 years old when compared with peers who had no habits. Most children with oral habits had no need for treatment.

Keywords: Children; Digit sucking; Digit sucking severity index; Malocclusion; Oral habits; Orthodontic treatment need.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Fingersucking*
  • Habits
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Malocclusion*
  • Nigeria