Malocclusion traits and sucking habits in preschool children: a cross-sectional study

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of malocclusion traits altogether and separate in anterior open bite, accentuated overjet and posterior cross-bite, and the possible association between them and sucking habits and breastfeeding. Methods : A preschool-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 472 children aged 24-60 months and their parents (response rate 86.6%). Three trained dentists (Kappa > 0.70) examine children for anterior open bite, accentuated overjet and posterior cross-bite and parents answered a questionnaire indicating the presence of breastfeeding, bottle usage, pacifier usage, finger sucking and the length of usage of all these habits. Results : The prevalence of malocclusion traits was 38.8%, Accentuated overjet was the most prevalent (30.3%) followed by posterior cross-bite (8.9%) and anterior open bite (7.4%). The unadjusted Poisson regression showed that children who were not breastfed had 63.0% more prevalent malocclusion traits when compared with those who were breastfed (RP 1.63, 95%CI 1.06-2.50). Length of pacifier usage in months was the only habit remained in the adjusted model associated with anterior open bite (RP 1.10, 95%CI 1.05-1.14, p < 0.000) and accentuated overjet (RP 1.03, 95%CI 1.01- .05, p = 0.004). For posterior cross-bite none habit showed association in the adjusted model. All models were adjusted for age and sex. Conclusion : Accentuated overjet is the most prevalent malocclusion trait. Length of pacifier usage is associated with the presence of malocclusion traits, anterior open bite and accentuated overjet. None of the investigated habits is associated with posterior cross-bite.

Objetivo: O objetivo foi estimar a prevalência de maloclusões avaliadas em conjunto e separadamente em mordida aberta anterior, sobressaliência acentuada e mordida cruzada posterior, e a possível associação entre elas e os hábitos de sucção e amamentação. Métodos : Estudo transversal foi realizado com 472 pré- escolares de 24 a 60 meses e seus pais (taxa de resposta de 86,6%). Três dentistas treinados (Kappa > 0,70) examinaram as crianças para mordida aberta anterior, sobressaliência acentuada e mordida cruzada posterior e os pais responderam a um questionário indicando a presença de amamentação, uso de mamadeira, uso de chupeta, sucção de dedo e tempo de hábito. Resultados : A prevalência de maloclusões foi de 38,8%. A sobressaliência acentuada foi o mais prevalente (30,3%), seguido da mordida cruzada posterior (8,9%) e da mordida aberta anterior (7,4%). A regressão de Poisson não ajustada mostrou que as crianças que não foram amamentadas apresentaram 63,0% maior prevalência de maloclusão quando comparadas com aquelas que foram amamentadas (RP 1,63, IC95% 1,06-2,50). A duração do uso de chupeta em meses foi o único hábito que permaneceu no modelo ajustado associado à mordida aberta anterior (RP 1,10, IC 95% 1,05-1,14, p < 0,000) e sobressaliência acentuada (RP 1,03, IC 95% 1,01- 1,05, p = 0,004). Para mordida cruzada posterior nenhum hábito mostrou associação no modelo ajustado. Todos os modelos foram ajustados por idade e sexo. Conclusão : A sobressaliência acentuada é a maloclusão mais prevalente. O tempo do uso de chupeta está associado à presença de maloclusão, mordida aberta anterior e sobressaliência acentuada. Nenhum dos hábitos investigados está associado à mordida cruzada posterior.

Mouth Breathing and Prevalence of Sleep Bruxism among Preschoolers aged 2 to 5 years

Objective: To determine the prevalence of bruxism, associating it with mouth breathing in preschool children in Florianopolis, Brazil. Material and Methods: Clinical examination and questions to parents/guardians of 429 children aged 2-5 were conducted. The clinical examination was performed by three calibrated examiners to register the presence of tooth wear on incisors and molars. The questions were related to sleep bruxism (teeth grinding) and mouth breathing. For determinate diagnosis, were "possible" bruxism by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and "probable" bruxism, whereas the Item Response Theory was employed for mouth breathing. To determine the associations, a Chi-square test and Fisher exact test with a standard error of 5% and 95% interval confidence were applied. Results: The clinical examination revealed bruxism in 8.2%, whereas the parental report revealed bruxism in 17.2%. When clinical examination was associated with the parent's report, bruxism was present in 2.1%. Among the non-clinical variables, the most prevalent changes included: child presenting a regular stuffy nose (19.6%), followed by child is always open-mouthed (16.1%). A significant statistical association between bruxism and age was obtained (p<0.05), the age group with prevalence of 4 and 5 years old with 68.9%. There was no mouth breathing association with the presence of bruxism (p>0.05). Conclusion: Bruxism was prevalent for children aged 4-5 and bruxism had no association with mouth breathing.

Antimicrobial activity of ozone and NaF-chlorhexidine on early childhood caries

Abstract An early childhood carie (ECC) is an extremely destructive form of tooth decay. The aim of this study was to investigate the action of ozone (O3), and the association of sodium fluoride (NaF) with chlorhexidine (CHX) on bacteria related to ECC. Overnight culture of the bacteria was performed. On exponential phase the suspension was adjusted (101-108 CFU/mL). A drop (10μL) of each concentration of bacteria was applied on sheep blood agar plates and treated with O3 (2, 20, 200, and 2,000 ppm); after 18 hours, recovery analysis of CFU verified the reduction of bacterial activity. For NaF-CHX, sterile 96-well plates were prepared and divided into groups: G1 (150 µL TSB); G2 (20 µL of bacteria + 25 µL CHX + 25 µL NaF); and G3 (150 µL TSB + 20 µL of bacteria + 50 µL water). The plates were verified by analysis of the optical density (0, 12, 14, 16, and 18 hours). The data from O3 test were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). For the data from NaF-CHX, the ANOVA 2-way and Bonferroni’s test (p < 0.05) were used. The number of CFU/mL showed death > 3log10 (99.9%) for all bacteria (ozone ≥ 20ppm), while the combination of NaF-CHX was more effective (p < 0.001) compared to each substance tested alone and the control group. The antimicrobial agents tested were able to inhibit all bacteria tested; O3 seemed to be a good alternative for controlling progression of carious lesions, while the association of NaF-CHX showed to be a good antimicrobial with easy and inexpensive application.