Do symptoms and signs of temporomandibular disorders have an association with breathing pattern: a cross-sectional study on Turkish children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: This paper aimed to explore the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) signs/symptoms, and to investigate the possible link between signs/symptoms of TMDs and mouth breathing (MB) by evaluating along with other risk factors, in a Turkish subpopulation of children and adolescence. METHODS: This study was conducted with the archival data of the patients who applied with orthodontic complaints. Data on demographic characteristics, family-related factors, systemic status, occlusion, breathing patterns, oral habits, and bruxism were retrieved from the archival records. RESULTS: Nine hundred forty-five children and adolescents with a mean age of 14.82 ± 2.06 years were included in the study. Of the participants, 66% were girls, 60.4% were delivered by C-section, 8.4% of the participants had at least one systemic disease, 9.2% of the participants had allergy, and 4.3% of the participants' parents were divorced, 18.7% have an oral habit, 6.6% have bruxism, 29.8% have malocclusion and 14.1% have MB. Eight-point-five percent of participants have signs/symptoms of TMD. Among them 2.9% have pain, 3.7% have joint sounds, 1.4% have deflection, and 3.9% have deviation. Evaluation of the risk factors revealed a significant relation between the signs/symptoms of TMD and bruxism (OR 8.07 95% CI 4.36-14.92), gender (OR 2.01 95% CI 1.13-3.59), marital status of parents (OR 2.62 95% CI 1.07-6.42), and MB (OR 3.26 95% CI 1.86-5.71). CONCLUSIONS: According to the study's findings, girls and those with bruxism, divorced parents, and MB behavior are more likely to have signs/symptoms of TMD. Age found to have significant effect on the occurrence of the signs/symptoms of TMD alone, but together with other factors the effect of the age is disappeared. Early screening and intervention of MB as well as the signs/symptoms of TMD can help to limit detrimental effects of these conditions on growth, and quality of life of children and adolescents.

Factors related to mouth breathing syndrome in preschool children and the effects of incompetent lip seal: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES: A set of orofacial signs and symptoms completely or partially present in individuals who replace the correct pattern of nasal breathing with an oral or mixed pattern is defined as mouth breathing syndrome (MBS). In a previous report, it was clarified that an incompetent lip seal (ILS) affected the occurrence of MBS among primary school children. However, the factors related to MBS and the effect of ILS in preschool children remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the factors relevant to MBS in preschool children and investigate the relationship of ILS to MBS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We surveyed 285 preschool children between 3 and 5 years of age. Their guardians completed the questionnaire, which consisted of 44 questions regarding the children's daily health conditions and lifestyle habits. To classify the closely related questions into their respective factors and to examine the strength of the correlation between the newly revealed factors, an exploratory factor analysis with promax rotation was performed. RESULTS: The factor analysis identified nine items representing four factors. Factors 1-4 were defined as "diseases of the nose," "ILS," "problem with swallowing and chewing," and "eating and drinking habits," respectively. Factor 2 most strongly correlated with Factor 1, and both Factors showed a relatively strong correlation with Factor 3. CONCLUSIONS: The initial stage of MBS may be present in preschool children. ILS and diseases of the nose can cause poor development of oral functions, such as breathing and eating.

Prevalence of mouth breathing, with or without nasal obstruction, in children with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND: Mouth breathing (MB) is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children, but its diagnosis remains challenging. The main objectives of our study were to evaluate whether parents' and physician's diagnose of MB were concordant and to evaluate the prevalence of nasal obstruction in children with OSA and MB. METHODS: Ninety-three children (median age: 10.6 years, range 3-18) with moderate to severe OSA prospectively underwent otorhinolaryngologist (endoscopy, acoustic rhinometry and pharyngometry allowing calculation of pharyngeal compliance) and orthodontist (clinical exam and cephalometry) assessments together with parental interview (daytime MB: never, sometimes, often, always). MB was also assessed by the otorhinolaryngologist (nasal obstruction on endoscopy) and the orthodontist (incompetent lips or anterior open bite or low tongue position). RESULTS: Thirty-eight children (41%) were mouth (parental criterion: MB often or always, median age 8.2 years) and 55 nasal (11.4 years, p = 0.016) breathers. The agreement of parental and physician diagnosis of MB was slight (orthodontist) to moderate (otorhinolaryngologist). Parental diagnosis of MB was associated with nasal obstruction on acoustic rhinometry and endoscopy (hypertrophy of inferior turbinate, n = 18 or adenoids, n = 15) and with an adenoid facies (increased Frankfort's mandibular plane angle on cephalometry). Eleven children had MB by habit and were characterized by more severe OSA and higher pharyngeal compliance than mouth breathers with nasal obstruction. CONCLUSION: MB diagnosis by parents is acceptable and is mainly related to nasal obstruction. A subset of children had MB by habit associated with worst OSA and increased pharyngeal compliance that could benefit from myofunctional therapy.

Do breastfed children have a lower chance of developing mouth breathing? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the association between breastfeeding and the development of mouth breathing in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven databases were searched for studies investigating the association between the type of feeding and the development of the breathing pattern in children. Descriptive analysis and meta-analysis were performed, with the calculation of the prevalence and likelihood (odds ratios (95% CI)) of mouth breathing according to the duration of breastfeeding. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of mouth breathing was 44% (95% CI: 38-49) (N total = 1182). Breastfeeding was a protection factor against the development of mouth breathing (OR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41-0.93). The likelihood of developing mouth breathing was 41% and 34% lower among children that were breastfed for more than 12 and more than 24 months, respectively. No association was found between exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months and the occurrence of mouth breathing (OR = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.31-1.18). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the scarcity of cohort studies that met the inclusion criteria and the low certainty of the evidence, no strong evidence-based conclusion can be drawn. However, breastfeeding should be encouraged due to its possible protective effect, evidenced by the substantial reduction in the prevalence of mouth breathing pattern when performed for up to 2 years. Exclusive breastfeeding was not associated with the development of the breathing pattern. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results reveal that breastfeeding can protect children from the development of mouth breathing. Thus, healthcare providers should offer support so that mothers feel prepared and encouraged to perform breastfeeding. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registry: CRD42017062172.

Long-term outcome of concurrent coblator turbinoplasty with adenotonsillectomy in children with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in children. Patients with AR tend to have more persistent symptoms after adenotonsillectomy (T&A). OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to evaluate the outcome of additional concurrent coblation-assisted turbinoplasty with adenotonsillectomy (T&A + T) in patients with AR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 104 children who underwent T&A, and 67 who underwent T&A + T. All patients were diagnosed as AR and were aged < 12 years at the time of surgery. Symptoms (snoring, mouth breathing, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, itching, and sneezing) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively via a questionnaire and a telephone survey. RESULTS: None of the six symptoms investigated differed significantly between the two groups preoperatively, and all evaluated symptoms exhibited dramatic improvements after the surgery in both groups. The T&A + T group showed significantly greater difference of improvement in mouth breathing and nasal obstruction than T&A group. There were no significant difference of improvements in snoring, rhinorrhea, itching and sneezing postoperatively between two groups. In multiple regression analysis, postoperative obstructive symptoms including mouth breathing and nasal obstruction were significantly associated with concurrent turbinoplasty. CONCLUSION: Concurrent turbinoplasty should be considered especially in patients who have AR and adenotonsillar hypertrophy to improve obstructive symptoms.

A Study Correlating Breathing Pattern With Different Malocclusions Among Patients Reporting At Department Of Orthodontics Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: The present era has been commanded by ample studies correlating breathing modes & risk of occurrence of malocclusion. The early intervention of altered breathing patterns can head off the long-lasting effects of already established malocclusion. The main intention of this project was to establish the possible correlation between mouth-breathing & malocclusions. METHODS: Sixty-two (62) patients undergoing orthodontic treatment were evaluated via data form (including history & clinical evaluation). SPSS software version 25.0 was used for data analysis. Patient's age, gender, type of Angle's malocclusion & breathing pattern was taken in account while analysing data. Descriptive statistics & Chi- Square test was applied on the data. It was anticipated that mouth breathing is associated with malocclusion. p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 29 males & 33 females participated in the study. The mean age was 13 years (range 6-20 years). A significant correlation was found between mouth-breathing, tongue thrust (p=0.03) & bleeding gums (p=0.006). Other parameters had no significant correlation with mouth-breathing. CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed that mouth breathing has significant association with opened mouth at rest & gingival abnormalities (bleeding/ swollen gums) implying that timely diagnosis of such abnormal breathing pattern can hinder with development of altered occlusion & dentofacial conformation.

Prevalence of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and its Association with Para Functional Habits in the Patients Attending Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Temporo-mandibular disorders is a collective term used to describe problems involving muscles of mastication and temporomandibular joint. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of temporo-mandibular disorders and its association with parafunctional habits in patients visiting department of dentistry, Patan Academy of Health Sciences. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 213 patients coming to Patan Academy of Health Sciences. A screening questionnaire recommended by American Association of Orofacial Pain was used to determine the signs and symptoms of temporo-mandibular disorders. RESULTS: The prevalence of temporomandibular disorders was 31.9 %. The three most common parafunctional habits were chewing gums (32.4 %), mouth breathing (19.7 %) and biting of objects (14.6 %) respectively. Statistically significant association was found between nail biting, grinding of teeth, biting of lips and objects and mouth breathing with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (p<0.05). Among the signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, getting headaches, neck pain or toothaches often was the most frequent signs of temporomandibular disorders (n=105, 49.3 %). Feeling of recent change in bite was the second most frequent sign reported by 82 participants (38.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: The parafunctional habits between nail biting, grinding of teeth, biting of lips and objects and mouth breathing have statistically significant association with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders.

Poor oral habits and malocclusions after usage of orthodontic pacifiers: an observational study on 3-5 years old children.

BACKGROUND: Pacifier sucking habit has been associated in the literature with alterations of dental occlusion, and it could be a predisposing factor for other poor oral habits among children. Orthodontic pacifiers have been introduced in the market aiming to reduce these disadvantages caused by the conventional type of pacifiers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of poor oral habits and malocclusions, after usage of orthodontic pacifiers in children with primary dentition. METHODS: A sample of 198 pre-school children, aged 3-5 years, (96 males and 102 females) who had exclusively used an orthodontic pacifier were included in order to assess the level of poor oral habits and the absence/presence of dental malocclusion. Firstly, children's parents/legal guardians were given a validated questionnaire, then the children were clinically examined at a dental clinic. RESULTS: Most of the children (79.79%) had started using the orthodontic pacifier within the first 3 months of life, and the 43.49% of them continued using it over a period of 2 years. The recorded percentage for those who had used it throughout sleep was 89.39%. Mouth breathing during the night was reported for 36.04% of the children. Tongue thrust swallow affected 16.16% of the sample. The 5.56% of the data indicated the presence of fingersucking/thumbsucking habit. The noted percentages for children with lip biting, lingual interposition between teeth at rest and those with nail biting, were 5.56, 12.63 and 15.15%, respectively. The regression revealed a significant contribution between early start of using an orthodontic pacifier with the prevalence of fingersucking/thumbsucking (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04-0.47, p = 0.0004). This also reported a noticeable increase of the malocclusion prevalence among the female gender (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.42-5.31), as well as those who were not exclusively breastfed (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.17-4.37). CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontic pacifiers does not favor the development of poor oral habits, even if it has been used for a period of 2 years in children with primary dentition. Children who begin to use orthodontic pacifier between 0 and 3 months, are less likely to acquire fingersucking/thumbsucking habit. The use of an orthodontic pacifier appears not to be correlated with the prevalence of malocclusion in primary dentition, differently from what stated in literature about the conventional type of pacifier.

Association Between Breastfeeding and Childhood Breathing Patterns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between breastfeeding and breathing patterns in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for publications from inception to October 1, 2017. The breastfeeding duration and period of exclusive breastfeeding were selected as primary outcomes. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesize the evidence. The Newcastle-Ottawa Score was used for quality and comparability assessment. RESULTS: Of the 54 articles identified, three observational studies met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis, representing 1,046 participants. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that the prevalence rate of mouth breathing (OR = 2.04; 95% CI, 1.26-3.31; p = 0.004) was significantly higher in subjects who were breastfed for less than 6 months, but no significant difference was observed within the periods of exclusive breastfeeding (6 months or less) (OR = 1.27; 95% CI, 0.73-2.21; p = 0.40). CONCLUSION: We found only limited evidence about the association between breastfeeding and breathing patterns. However, the current evidence supports the association between breastfeeding and childhood breathing patterns. Based on this review, we found that the frequency of normal nasal respiration increases with the duration of breastfeeding. The methodological quality of the studies included was moderate. Thus, future studies should aim to correct the confounding factors related to breathing patterns, to use standardized diagnostic criteria of mouth breathing, and to conduct a prospective research to reduce the recall bias.

Prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections in habitually snoring and mouth breathing children.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections (URI) - as indicated by rhinosinusitis (RS), ear infections (EI), and antibiotic consumption - in a general pediatric population and evaluate the relationship between these conditions and habitual snoring and mouth breathing during sleep. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was performed in three medium-sized Polish cities from 2011 to 2015. RESULTS: 4837/6963 questionnaires (69.5%) were completed, returned and analyzed. Mean age of studied group was 7.07 ±â€¯0.72 and 7.14 ±â€¯0.73 in girls and boys, respectively. Habitual mouth breathing during sleep (MB) was reported in 907 (18.7%) children and habitual snoring (HS) in 290 (6.0%). 230/290 (79.3%) of children with HS were also MB. Both HS and MB were more prevalent in boys than in girls (p = 0.027 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and neither was associated with BMI (p = 0.11 and p = 0.07, respectively). Habitual snoring and habitual mouth breathing were highly associated with more frequent bouts of rhinosinusitis, ear infections, and antibiotic use (p < 0.0001 for each parameter). CONCLUSIONS: Higher rates of rhinosinusitis, ear infections, and antibiotic consumption were similarly associated with HS and MB. MB is over three times more prevalent in the pediatric population relative to HS, therefore it might be considered as a risk factor for URI and may be included in history of URI.

Predictors of sleep disordered breathing in children: the PANIC study.

Objective: We studied longitudinally the associations of craniofacial morphology, mouth breathing, orthodontic treatment, and body fat content with the risk of having and developing sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in childhood. We hypothesized that deviant craniofacial morphology, mouth breathing, and adiposity predict SDB among children. Materials and methods: The participants were 412 children 6-8 years of age examined at baseline and 329 children aged 9-11 years re-examined at an average 2.2-year follow-up. An experienced orthodontist evaluated facial proportions, dental occlusion, soft tissue structures, and mode of breathing and registered malocclusions in orthodontic treatment. Body fat percentage was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and SDB symptoms by a questionnaire. Results: Children with SDB more likely had convex facial profile, increased lower facial height, mandibular retrusion, tonsillar hypertrophy, and mouth breathing at baseline and convex facial profile, mandibular retrusion, and mouth breathing at follow-up than children without SDB at these examinations. Male gender and body adiposity, mouth breathing, and distal molar occlusion at baseline were associated with SDB later in childhood. Adipose tissue under the chin, mandibular retrusion, vertically large or normal throat and malocclusion in orthodontic treatment at baseline predicted developing SDB during follow-up of among children without SDB at baseline. Limitations: We could not conduct polysomnographic examinations to define sleep disturbances. Instead, we used a questionnaire filled out by the parents to assess symptoms of SDB. Conclusions: The results indicate that among children, deviant craniofacial morphology, mouth breathing, body adiposity, and male gender seem to have implications in the pathophysiology of SDB.

Association of oral breathing with dental malocclusions and general health in children.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to analyze the association of oral breathing with dental malocclusions and aspects of general health such as acute illnesses, oxygen saturation in blood and its possible implication in the process of nutrition. METHODS: A prevalence analytic study was carried out. Five dentists explored to children between 6 and 12 years and measured their oxygen saturation. Parents completed a questionnaire of 11 items about general health (colds, ear infections, tonsillitis and taking antibiotics) and the food preferences of their children. At the end, children were classified in oral breathing group (prevalence cases) or nasal breathing group (controls). RESULTS: There were statistical differences between cases (452 children) and controls (752 children) in the facial morphometric measurements. Oral breathing children had statistically less percentage of oxygen saturation than controls (92.3±3.3% versus 96.5±2.3%), took less time to have lunch and preferred less consistent and sugary food. Cases had had more prevalence of pathologies in the last year and of taking the antibiotics. This group also had higher prevalence of allergies compared with controls group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Oral breathing is significantly associated with specific dental malocclusions and important aspects of general health such as oxygen saturation and the nutrition. On the same line, oral breathing is related to a significantly higher prevalence of allergies and a significantly more likely getting sick and taking medication.

Impact of breathing patterns on the quality of life of 9- to 10-year-old schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Mouth breathing can cause a set of changes in craniofacial growth and development, with esthetic, functional, and psychological repercussions. OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of mouth breathing on the quality of life of schoolchildren. METHODS: A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with 1911 children ages 9 and 10 years in the city of Recife, Brazil. The children answered the Mouth Breather Quality of Life questionnaire and a questionnaire that addressed sociodemographic data and health-related aspects. Clinical examinations were performed by an examiner who had undergone a training and calibration process for the diagnosis of mouth breathing (kappa = 0.90). Descriptive statistics were conducted to characterize the sample. Statistical analysis involved the Student's t-test and the F test (analysis of variance) (alpha = 5%). RESULTS: The prevalence of mouth breathing was 54.81%. Children with oral breathing demonstrated a poorer quality of life in comparison with children with nasal breathing (p < 0.001). The following variables were significantly associated with a poorer quality of life among the children with mouth breathing: a younger age (p < 0.001) and the use of medication (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Based on the present findings, children with the mouth-breathing pattern experience a greater negative impact on quality of life in comparison with those with the nose-breathing pattern. Thus, the early diagnosis and treatment of this clinical condition are fundamental to minimizing the consequences of mouth breathing on the quality of life of schoolchildren with respiration disorders.

Factors associated with mouth breathing in children with -developmental -disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and factors associated with mouth breathing among patients with developmental disabilities of a dental service. METHODS: We analyzed 408 dental records. Mouth breathing was reported by the patients' parents and from direct observation. Other variables were as -follows: history of asthma, bronchitis, palate shape, pacifier use, thumb -sucking, nail biting, use of medications, gastroesophageal reflux, bruxism, gender, age, and diagnosis of the patient. Statistical analysis included descriptive analysis with ratio calculation and multiple logistic regression. Variables with p < 0.25 were included in the model to estimate the adjusted OR (95% CI), calculated by the forward stepwise method. Variables with p ​​< 0.05 were kept in the model. RESULTS: Being male (p = 0.016) and use of centrally acting drugs (p = 0.001) were the variables that remained in the model. CONCLUSION: Among patients with -developmental disabilities, boys and psychotropic drug users had a greater chance of being mouth breathers.

[Frequency of rhinitis and orofacial disorders in patients with dental malocclusion]. / Frequência de rinite e alterações orofaciais em pacientes com má oclusão dentária.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency and etiology of rhinitis, oral breathing, types of malocclusion and orofacial disorders in patients treated for dental malocclusion. METHODS: Patients with poor dental occlusion (n=89, 8-15 years) undergoing orthodontic treatment at the Postgraduate Orthodontics Center (Sao Paulo, Brazil) participated in the study. Rhinitis and oral breathing were diagnosed by anamnesis, clinical assessment and allergic etiology of rhinitis through immediate hypersensitivity skin prick test (SPT) with airborne allergens. The association between types of breathing (oral or nasal), rhinitis and types of dental malocclusion, bruxism and cephalometric alterations (increased Y axis of facial growth) compared to standard cephalometric tracing (Escola de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo) were assessed. RESULTS: The frequency of rhinitis in patients with dental malocclusion was 76.4% (68), and, of these, 81.7% were allergic (49/60 positive skin prick test), whereas the frequency of oral breathing was 62.9%. There was a significant association between an increased Y axis of facial growth and oral breathing (p<0.001), as well as between oral breathing and rhinitis (p=0.009). There was no association between rhinitis and bruxism. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of rhinitis in children with dental malocclusion is higher than that in the general population, which is approximately 30%. Patients with oral breathing have a tendency to a dolichofacial growth pattern (increased Y axis of facial growth). In patients with rhinitis, regardless of the presence of oral breathing, the dolichofacial growth tendency was not observed.

Impacto da maloclusão e respiração bucal na qualidade de vida de crianças de 8 a 10 anos de idade / Impact of malocclusion and mouth-breathing on quality of life of children aging form 8 to 10 years old

Por apresentar alta prevalência, a maloclusão é considerada um problema de saúde pública podendo interferir negativamente na qualidade de vida das pessoas. A respiração bucal também tem sido considerada um problema de saúde pública devido aos múltiplos problemas que essa disfunção pode causar. O objetivo do presente estudo transversal foi avaliar o impacto da maloclusão e respiração bucal na qualidade de vida de crianças na faixa etária de oito a 10 anos de idade, estudantes de escolas da rede pública da cidade de Belo Horizonte. O instrumento utilizado para medir a qualidade de vida (OHRQoL - Oral Health-Related Quality of Life) foi a versão brasileira do Child Perceptions Questionnaire...

Dentofacial characteristics of oral breathers in different ages: a retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the dental and skeletal variables associated with disturbances of craniofacial development in oral-breathing (OB) individuals and the probability that these variables are related to this condition. METHODS: This is an observational retrospective case-control study of 1596 patients divided into three groups of age n1 5-12, n2 13-18, and n3 19-57 years. Radiographic, clinical, and models data were analyzed. The control group was consisted of nasal breathing (NB) individuals. Statistical analyses of the qualitative data were performed with x (2) test to identify associations, and odds ratio (OR) tests were performed for the variables that the chi-square test (x (2)) identified an association. RESULTS: In the descriptive analysis of the data, we observed that the class II malocclusion was the most frequent in the total sample, but when divided by age group and mode of breathing, there is a random division of these variables. In n1 group, class II, (OR = 2.02) short and retruded mandible (SM and RM) (OR = 1.65 and1.89) were associated with OB and it was considered a risk factor. In n2 group, class II (OR = 1.73), SM (OR = 1.87) and increased lower anterior height (ILAFH) (OR = 1.84) seemed to be associated and to be risk factors for OB. In the n1 group, decreased lower anterior facial height (DLAFH) and brachycephalic facial pattern (BP) seemed to be associated with NB and a protective factor against oral breathing. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that dental and skeletal factors are associated with OB in children, and it seems that it becomes more severe until adolescence. But adults showed no associations between OB and skeletal factors, only in dental variables, indicating that there is no cause-effect relationship between the dental and skeletal factors and OB. The treatment of nose breathing patient should be multidisciplinary, since OB remains even when dental and skeletal factors slow down.

Craniofacial changes and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in healthy children.

INTRODUCTION: The main cause of mouth breathing and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in childhood is associated with upper airway narrowing to varying degrees. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of morphological and functional craniofacial changes and the main clinical symptoms of SDB in healthy children. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. A sample comprising 687 healthy schoolchildren, aged 7-12 years old and attending public schools, was assessed by medical history, clinical medical and dental examination, and respiratory tests. The self-perceived quality of life of mouth breathing children was obtained by a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of the total sample, 520 children were nose breathers (NB) while 167 (24.3%) were mouth breathers (MB); 32.5% had severe hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils, 18% had a Mallampati score of III or IV, 26.1% had excessive overjet and 17.7% had anterior open bite malocclusion. Among the MB, 53.9% had atresic palate, 35.9% had lip incompetence, 33.5% reported sleepiness during the day, 32.2% often sneezed, 32.2% had a stuffy nose, 19.6% snored, and 9.4% reported having the feeling to stop breathing while asleep. However, the self-perception of their quality of life was considered good. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of facial changes as well as signs and symptoms of mouth breathing were found among health children, requiring early diagnosis and treatment to reduce the risk of SDB.

Craniofacial changes and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing in healthy children

INTRODUCTION: The main cause of mouth breathing and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in childhood is associated with upper airway narrowing to varying degrees. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of morphological and functional craniofacial changes and the main clinical symptoms of SDB in healthy children. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. A sample comprising 687 healthy schoolchildren, aged 7-12 years old and attending public schools, was assessed by medical history, clinical medical and dental examination, and respiratory tests. The self-perceived quality of life of mouth breathing children was obtained by a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Out of the total sample, 520 children were nose breathers (NB) while 167 (24.3%) were mouth breathers (MB); 32.5% had severe hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils, 18% had a Mallampati score of III or IV, 26.1% had excessive overjet and 17.7% had anterior open bite malocclusion. Among the MB, 53.9% had atresic palate, 35.9% had lip incompetence, 33.5% reported sleepiness during the day, 32.2% often sneezed, 32.2% had a stuffy nose, 19.6% snored, and 9.4% reported having the feeling to stop breathing while asleep. However, the self-perception of their quality of life was considered good. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of facial changes as well as signs and symptoms of mouth breathing were found among health children, requiring early diagnosis and treatment to reduce the risk of SDB. .

INTRODUÇÃO: a principal causa da respiração bucal e dos distúrbios respiratórios do sono (DRS) está associada ao estreitamento das vias aéreas superiores, em diferentes graus. OBJETIVO: avaliar a prevalência de alterações morfológicas e funcionais da face e os principais sintomas clínicos de DRS em crianças saudáveis. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal, observacional, com amostra de 687 escolares saudáveis, provenientes de escolas públicas, com idades entre 7 e 12 anos. Foram avaliados pela história clínica, exame clínico médico e odontológico e testes respiratórios. A autopercepção da qualidade de vida dos escolares com respiração bucal foi obtida por meio de um questionário validado. RESULTADOS: na amostra total, 520 crianças eram respiradoras nasais (RN) e 167 (24,3%) eram respiradoras bucais (RB); 32,5% tinham hipertrofia das amígdalas palatinas, 18% tinham índice Mallampati obstrutivo (III e IV); 26,1% tinham overjet exagerado e 17,7%, mordida aberta anterior. Entre os RB, 53,9% tinham palato atrésico; 35,9% com ausência de selamento labial; 33,5% relataram sonolência diurna; 32,2%, espirros frequentes; 32,2%, nariz entupido; 19,6% roncavam e 9,4% relataram ter a sensação de parar de respirar durante o sono. Entretanto, a autopercepção da qualidade de vida desses escolares foi considerada boa. CONCLUSÃO: foi encontrada alta prevalência de alterações faciais, de sinais e de sintomas clínicos de respiração bucal nos escolares saudáveis examinados, necessitando diagnóstico e tratamento para reduzir o risco de DRS. .