Nutritional status, feeding behavior, and oral conditions in preschool children exposed to secondhand smoke.

This study evaluated whether the nutritional status of preschoolers is influenced by secondhand smoke. Pairs of mothers-children (N = 201) were allocated in "children exposed to secondhand smoke (ESHS)" or "not exposed (N_ESHS)." Mothers answered, "The Parental Feeding Style Questionnaire (PFSQ)." The nutritional status and oral conditions were evaluated using WHO criteria. ESHS was 3.5 more likely to have a high BMI and their mothers had 10 kg more than N_ESHS. The probability of having dental caries was 2.28 and 3.68 times greater when the mother's BMI increases and when family/mothers were smokers, independently whether they smoke in the child's presence.

Occlusal, chewing, and tasting characteristics associated with orofacial dysfunctions in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to assess the associations between orofacial dysfunctions with malocclusion, masticatory performance, and taste in children with and without unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A patient-based, matched, case-control study was conducted involving 108 8- to 10-year-old children divided in UCLP and control groups. Orofacial dysfunctions were evaluated using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S). Orthodontic treatment need was evaluated using the Goslon Yardstick Index (GYI) and the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) of patients and controls, respectively. Masticatory performance was assessed using a chewable test material to determine median particle size (X 50) and distribution of particles in different sieves (b value). Taste perception was evaluated using four solutions (sweet, salty, bitter, or acid) in three different concentrations. RESULTS: More than half of the patients needed orthodontic surgery. UCLP group presented higher median particle size and needed more chewing cycles to comminute the artificial test into particles smaller than the median than those of controls. UCLP group had less perception of salty flavor than controls. There was a positive correlation between b value and NOT-S examination score for patients. In regression analysis, a significant interrelationship was observed between NOT-S examination score and b value. CONCLUSIONS: In the UCLP patients, masticatory performance was compromised probably as a result of facial asymmetry and speech disturbance; whereas, taste was less perceived only for salty flavor. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings provide preliminary evidence that mastication and taste are altered in children with UCLP, so these factors must be followed up to ensure oral and general health in growing individuals.

Influence of anthropometry, TMD, and sex on molar bite force in adolescents with and without orthodontic needs.

PURPOSE: Bite force has been studied as representative of functional indices of mastication and its value may have diagnostic significance in disorders of the musculoskeletal system of facial bones. This study aimed to evaluate bite force in adolescents with and without orthodontic needs considering presence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) as well as anthropometry: craniofacial dimensions and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: A total of 80 subjects were screened (61 females, 19 males; 18 ± 3 years old). Unilateral molar bite force was measured using a digital dynamometer with a fork thickness of 12 mm. Direct anthropometry was used to quantify craniofacial measurements. Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-DHC) and the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were used to classify samples according to malocclusion and to TMD, respectively. Data were analyzed using normality tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and multiple linear regression analyses with stepwise backward elimination, controlling for the presence of malocclusion and TMD (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The cephalic index was greater in females with malocclusion and the longitudinal cranial diameter was reduced in females with malocclusion. BMI was not different between normal and malocclusion groups for either gender. Bite force was negatively related with vertical dimension of the face, and positively related with facial width and facial index. The model explained 32% of bite force variability, considering the sample size (coefficient of determination R 2 = 0.324). CONCLUSIONS: Even when orthodontic needs and TMD signs and symptoms are present, stronger bite force is still observed in males and in subjects with smaller anterior facial heights and wider facial widths.

Factors Associated with Oral Health-related Quality of Life in Children and Preadolescents: A Cross-sectional Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the factors associated with the perceptions of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children and preadolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 167 students aged 8-14 years were recruited from the public schools of Piracicaba, Brazil. Participants were examined for caries, gingivitis, fluorosis, malocclusions and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). OHRQoL was measured using the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ 8-10 and 11-14), where higher scores indicate worse OHRQoL. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were evaluated using self-applied questionnaires. Sociodemographic characteristics, dental history and oral hygiene habits were evaluated using a questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the variables associated with CPQ scores. RESULTS: Higher CPQ 8-10 scores were associated with fluorosis, TMD and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Higher CPQ 11-14 scores were associated with females, TMD and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Younger children (OR=0.32, p<0.05) with signs and symptoms of TMD (OR=4.38, p<0.01) and anxiety (OR=4.97, p<0.001) were more likely to present higher CPQ 8-10 scores. Poor OHRQoL was associated with TMD (OR=4.29, p<0.01) and depressive symptoms (OR=4.50, p<0.001) in preadolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that experience of oral diseases and disorders as well as psychological phenomena, such as anxiety and depression, influenced oral health outcomes in this group of children and preadolescents.

Relationship among oral habits, orofacial function and oral health-related quality of life in children

The objective was to evaluate the relationship among oral habits, oral function and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children. Three hundred and twenty-eight subjects (8–14 years old) were assessed for orofacial function using the Brazilian version of the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S). OHRQoL was assessed using the Child Perceptions Questionnaires (Brazilian versions) for the 8–10 (CPQ8-10) and 11–14 (CPQ11-14) year age groups. The subjects were distributed into a Habit group and a Habit-free group according to domain III (Habits) of the NOT-S. Oral habits were present in 71.3% of the sample (p = .0001), with a higher prevalence in females (62.8%, p = .001). The NOT-S, CPQ8-10 and CPQ11-14 scores were higher in the Habit group (P = .0001, P = .009 and p = .001, respectively). Domain I (Sensory Function) was significantly more affected in Habit group subjects (p = .001). The NOT-S scores were positively correlated with the CPQ8-10 and CPQ11-14 scores only in the Habit group (r = .32, p = .0003 and r = .30, p = .001, respectively). These results indicate that oral habits can impact OHRQoL. Moreover, orofacial dysfunctions were associated with worse OHRQoL in subjects with oral habits.

Assessment of orofacial dysfunctions, salivary cortisol levels and oral health related quality of life (ORHQoL) in young adults.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of orofacial dysfunction and salivary cortisol levels with oral health quality of life (ORHQoL) in young adults. DESIGN: Thirty individuals of both genders (22.93±2.42 years) participated. The orofacial dysfunction was evaluated using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S) and the ORHQoL using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-49). Saliva samples were collected during three days, at waking up and 30 min after, obtaining the awakening cortisol response - ACR. The data were analysed by Mann-Whitney test, Spearman's correlation and multiple linear regression (α=0.05). The NOT-S scores and ACR (µg/dl) were dichotomized by the median (2.0 and 0.15, respectively). RESULTS: NOT-S and ACR showed similar values between genders (P>0.05). The individuals with NOT-S scores above the median presented values of "physical pain" domain significantly higher than the individuals with scores bellow or equal to the median. Significant correlations were found between the OHIP-49 domains "physical pain" and "physical disability" and NOT-S scores. In multiple linear regression, significant values were observed between NOT-S and OHIP-49 and the domains physical pain, physical disability, psychological disability, social disability and handicap, with determination coefficients ranging from 0.09 to 0.15. There was not association with the ACR. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with orofacial dysfunction presented impairment in ORHQoL, but not enough to change salivary cortisol levels. Furthermore, gender did not have influence on ORHQoL in the studied sample.

Associations of masticatory performance with body and dental variables in children.

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate the masticatory performance (MP) of children while also considering body mass index (BMI) and dental conditions. METHODS: Ninety-seven 8- to 12-year-olds participated. Dental conditions were appraised by counting the total number of primary and permanent teeth and the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmf/DMFT). MP was determined with a chewable material over the course of 20 cycles, obtaining the median particle size (X50) and broadness of distribution (b). Normal weight, underweight, and overweight/obese groups were formed based on BMI-for-age percentiles. Maternal schooling and socioeconomic status (SES) were assessed. RESULTS: Overweight/obese children presented larger X50 than normal-weight children. The b and dental conditions were similar among groups. Most families belonged to a very low SES, and most mothers had limited schooling without influence on BMI. X(50) was negatively correlated with age in the underweight group and positively associated with DMFT in the normal group. Underweight children were at higher risk for exhibiting poor MP (odds ratio=1.87). For other variables and groups, the risks were similar. CONCLUSIONS: The normal-weight children presented a better masticatory performance than the overweight/obese ones. Poor masticatory performance had a significant relationship with being underweight and with the conditions of permanent teeth in normal-weight children.

Oral infection by Diptera larvae in children: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Oral myiasis is usually caused by flies of the order Diptera. One of the causes of human myiasis is Cochliomyia hominivorax, which is a true obligate parasite of mammals. METHODS: A case of oral myiasis in a 5-year-old girl is reported. She presented with a swelling on the hard palate accompanied by intense pain and a fetid odor. A literature review of oral myiasis reports in children was performed. RESULTS: The poor oral hygiene, lip incompetence, open bite, and residence in a rural area were considered to be predisposing factors for larval infestation in this patient. Treatment consisted of manual larval removal and systemic therapy with antimicrobials. CONCLUSIONS: The prevention of human myiasis should involve the control of fly populations and general cleanliness, such as reducing decomposition odors and cleaning and covering wounds. In addition, the public should be informed that individuals living in locations without basic sanitation are more predisposed to infestation.