Mouth breathing is associated with a higher prevalence of anterior dental caries in preschool children

• Published in: Brazilian oral research 2024, Vol.38, p.e057
• Main Authors: Soares, Maria Eliza da Consolação, Ramos-Jorge, Joana, Lima, Laura Jordana Santos, Moreira, Luana Viviam, Fernandes, Izabella Barbosa, Ramos-Jorge, Maria Letícia, Galo, Rodrigo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brazil - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dental Caries; Dental Caries - epidemiology; DMF Index; Educational Status; Female; Humans; Male; Mouth Breathing; Mouth Breathing - epidemiology; Oral Health - statistics & numerical data; Original Research/Pediatric Dentistry; Pacifiers - adverse effects; Pacifiers - statistics & numerical data; Preschool; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1807-3107; 1806-8324; 1807-3107
• DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2024.vol38.0057

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association between anterior dental caries and the predominant type of breathing in preschoolers. The research involved a sample of 257 children aged between 3 and 5 years, who were enrolled in public daycare centers and preschools in the city of Diamantina, MG, Brazil. A questionnaire was applied to parents/guardians to collect sociodemographic data, habits, oral health, and a dietary diary used to calculate the Sucrose Consumption Index. The predominant type of breathing, whether nasal or through the mouth, was determined through direct observation. Dental caries was assessed using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS). Descriptive analyses and the Poisson regression were conducted to analyze the data. The results revealed a higher prevalence of anterior dental caries among children who predominantly breathed through the mouth (PR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.01-2.46; p = 0.047), who exhibited a higher frequency of sucrose consumption (PR = 4.02; 95%CI: 2.03-7.95; p < 0.001), and had mothers with lower educational levels (PR = 1.53; 95%CI: 1.01-2.32; p = 0.043). Pacifier use was associated with a lower prevalence of anterior dental caries (PR = 0.57; 95%CI: 0.34-0.96; p = 0.035). In conclusion, this investigation demonstrated an association between carious lesions in the anterior teeth and predominantly mouth breathing in preschoolers.