EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTS OF MOUTH BREATHING ON ORODENTAL HEALTH AND SURROUNDING TISSUES IN CHILDREN

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of mouth breathing on orodental health and surrounding tissues in children. A total of 100 mouth and nose breathing children, aged 5-12, were investigated for df, df-s, DMF, DMF-S, bleeding and plaque indexes, marginal gingivitis, facial form, lip posture, nose, tongue, chin positions, general conditions, sleep disturbances, habits and behavioral disorders. No significant differences (p>0.05) were determined between df, df-s, DMF, DMF-S values in mouth and nose breathing children. Significantly (p<0.05) higher caries prevalence in anterior primary teeth was found in mouth breathing children; bleeding and plaque index values were determined higher (p<0.01) in nose breathers than mouth breathers. Significant differences were determined for facial form (p<0.001), nose form (p<0.01), lip posture (p<0.001), chin position (p<0.001), gummy smile (p<0.001) between children with mouth and nose breathing. In addition, in mouth breathing children snoring, sleep apnea syndrome, open mouth posture frequencies were found higher than control groups; however no significancy in behavioural disorders was observed between two groups. Data have demonstrated that mouth breathing could cause significant differences in children's face, nose, lip and chin morphologies; furthermore, it has been determined that other parameters regarding oral hygiene besides mouth breathing have also important roles on health of teeth and gingiva.