Association between harmful oral habits and the structures and functions of the stomatognathic system: perception of parents/guardians

Orofacial Myofunctional Aspects of Nursing Infants and Preschoolers

Introduction  Clinical assessment in orofacial motricity is required for the speech therapist to diagnose and treat disorders involving the stomatognathic system. Validated tools can help establish a prognosis and outline intervention methods connected to human development. Objective  The goal of the present study was to examine the domains of the oromyofunctional assessment of nursing infants and preschoolers according to sex and age group, as well as the application of the MMBGR Protocol - Nursing Infants and Preschool Children. Methods  A quantitative technique was used to conduct an analytical and cross-sectional investigation. The present study included a total of 214 healthy breastfeeding infants and preschoolers of both sexes. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the medians. The Spearman correlation of each test domain was determined. R Core Team 2021 (R Foundation, Vienna, Austria) was used, and the significance threshold was set at 5%. Results  In intraoral and extraoral examinations, there was a difference between sexes for tongue scores in nursing infants (d = - 0.428; p  = 0.045), worse in males. When the orofacial functions were considered in nursing infants, there were differences between the sexes for the liquid/solid/semisolid deglutition scores (d = 0.479; p  = 0.031), with females performing worse. There were sex differences in solid/semisolid deglutition (d = - 0.335; p  = 0.043), and speech in preschoolers (d = - 0.478; p  = 0.034), including the production of phones/phonemes (d = - 0.599; p  = 0.007), which were always worse in males. Conclusion  The research revealed sex disparities and related the domains of oromyofunctional assessment, according to scores, of the domains of myofunctional assessment, as recorded in a standardized oromyofunctional assessment protocol by age group.

Thumb-Sucking Habits and Oral Health: An Analysis of YouTube Content

This study aims to investigate the content and usefulness of YouTube videos on** thumb-sucking habits. Methods: YouTube was systematically searched for all relevant videos on thumb sucking using primary keywords, such as thumb, finger, and digit sucking. Video information was assessed, such as the type of video, number of likes or dislikes, number of views, and duration of upload. The usefulness of videos was analyzed, and information about treatment modalities was evaluated. Results: A total of 331 YouTube videos (314 educational offerings and 17 testimonials) were included in the analysis. Individual users uploaded (36.6%), followed by healthcare professionals (30.5%). Only 4.83% of the videos were classified as having “very useful” general information content, whereas 51.1% were rated as “slightly useful.” There was no significant correlation between the usefulness score and the interaction rate, video length, or viewing rate. The videos advised a psychosocial approach and mechanical or reminder therapy in 32.33% and 25.07% of videos, respectively. Preventive methods accounted for 7.26%, and chemical treatments were discussed in 5.44% of the videos. Conclusion: Information on YouTube about thumb-sucking habits was unsatisfactory and should be improved by oral healthcare professionals and organizations.

Do the dimensions of the hard palate have a relationship with the volumes of the upper airways and maxillary sinuses? A CBCT study

Background

As the hard palate is a central structure of the skull, and its close relationship with the nasal cavity, oral cavity, and maxillary sinuses, it would be of interest to study if there is a relationship between this bone and other structures of the stomatognathic system. Thus, this study aimed to assess the dimensions of the hard palate and associate them with sex, and skeletal and breathing patterns. Also, to investigate if there is a relationship between these dimensions and the volumes of the upper airways and maxillary sinuses.

Methods

Two hundred and ninety-eight CBCT scans of patients were classified according to sex, and skeletal and breathing patterns. Then, the linear dimensions of width and height of the hard palate at the regions of the first premolars and first molars, and the volumes of the upper airways and maxillary sinuses were measured using the CS 3D Imaging and ITK-SNAP software, respectively. Data were submitted to multi-way analysis of variance and linear regression, with a significance level of 5% (α = 0.05).

Results

Sex and facial type influenced the hard palate dimensions (p < 0.05). Males had greater width and height of the hard palate than females (p < 0.0001). It was observed greater width for brachycephalics at the first premolars region (p = 0.0032), and greater height for dolichocephalics at the first premolars (p = 0.0154) and first molars (p = 0.0038) regions. Skeletal malocclusion and breathing pattern did not influence the measurements of the hard palate (p > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between the width and height of the hard palate at the premolar’s region and the total volume of the upper airways (p = 0.018, and p = 0.038), and between both dimensions of the hard palate at the molar’s region and the total volume of the maxillary sinuses (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The hard palate dimensions are influenced by sex and facial type, but not by skeletal malocclusion or breathing pattern. Also, there is an association between these dimensions and the volumes of the upper airways and maxillary sinuses.

Prevalence of an incompetent lip seal during growth periods throughout Japan: a large-scale, survey-based, cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Systemic and local factors may lead to disruption of craniofacial growth and development, causing an imbalance between the orofacial skeleton, muscle and soft tissue, dental occlusion, and the dental arch during growth periods. We aimed to reveal whether the prevalence of incompetent lip seal (ILS) varies with age and region, as well as to clarify the factors related to an ILS, in a national, large-scale epidemiological study.

METHODS

We surveyed 3399 children, from 3 to 12 years of age, visiting 66 pediatric dental clinics throughout Japan. For this survey, we employed a questionnaire consisting of 44 questions regarding daily health conditions and lifestyle habits. We evaluated the differences in ILS prevalence by age and region (using a Cochran-Armitage test for trend and a Kruskal-Wallis test), and the relationship between ILS and factors investigated in the questionnaire (using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient).

RESULTS

We observed that 30.7% of Japanese children exhibited an ILS and that the ILS rate increased with age (p < 0.001). There were no regional differences in the rate of ILS in Japanese children (p = 0.506). We revealed that 12 of 44 survey items exhibited a statistically significant correlation with ILS (p < 0.001), using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. These items involved orofacial morphology, mouth breathing, and possibly, allergic rhinitis.

CONCLUSION

The rate of ILS seems to increase with age in children, throughout Japan. Therefore, this disorder may not self-correct during the growth periods in these children. Guidelines are required for pediatric dentists to recognize ILS among children aged 3-12 years.

Associação entre hábitos orais e má oclusão com problemas respiratórios em escolares de 5 anos

Resumo Introdução Toda má oclusão apresenta origem multifatorial, e dentre os fatores que a desencadeiam estão os hábitos. O surgimento de um hábito pode estar relacionado com o emocional, o fisiológico ou com o aprendizado condicionado do indivíduo. Objetivo Analisar as relações entre hábitos e más oclusões associado a problemas respiratórios em escolares de 5 anos. Material e método Foi realizado um estudo transversal com uma amostra de 753 crianças pertencentes à rede municipal de ensino da cidade de Araraquara, SP. Foram realizados exames clínicos para avaliação da má oclusão (Foster & Hamilton), além de aplicado questionários aos pais para avaliação de condição socioeconômica e demográfica, qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal (ECOHIS) e hábitos. A análise dos dados foi feita pela análise bivariada por teste qui-quadrado seguida de modelo de regressão logística múltipla considerando nível de significância de 5%. Resultado A prevalência de crianças com problemas respiratórios e/ou alergias foi de 46,9%, com má oclusão foi de 58,7% e com algum tipo de hábito oral deletério foi de 12,0%. Apresentaram mais chance de ter problemas respiratórios e/ou alergias crianças do sexo masculino (1,40 vezes mais) e crianças com algum hábito oral deletério (1,95 vezes mais). Conclusão Observou-se que apresentaram maior chance de problemas respiratórios e/ou alergias as crianças do sexo masculino, crianças com algum hábito oral deletério e que apresentavam bruxismo.

Associação de condições socioeconômicas, saúde bucal, hábitos orais e má oclusão com o desempenho escolar de escolares de 5 anos

Resumo Introdução Problemas de origem dentária podem ocasionar um forte impacto em aspectos funcionais, emocionais e sociais das crianças, comprometendo-as em âmbito escolar, na aprendizagem e no seu desenvolvimento fisiológico. Objetivo Analisar as associações entre as variáveis de condições socioeconômicas, saúde bucal, hábitos e má oclusão com o desempenho escolar das crianças de cinco anos. Material e método A amostra consistiu em 753 crianças matriculadas em escolas públicas da cidade de Araraquara-SP. Foram realizados exames bucais para avaliar a presença de cárie dentária e má oclusão. Foram analisados, também, hábitos de sucção e bruxismo, condição socioeconômica e a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal. Os dados foram avaliados pelas análises descritivas e por modelos de regressão logística, simples e múltiplo (p≤0,05). Foram estimados os Odds Ratios, com intervalos de 95% de confiança. Resultado Apresentaram chances de ter pior desempenho escolar: crianças de famílias com menores rendas (1,76 vez), crianças que apresentaram piores condições de saúde bucal (1,93 vez), crianças que apresentaram um comportamento deficiente em relação à higiene oral (6,6 vezes) e crianças do sexo masculino (1,48 vez). Não houve evidências de associação entre as variáveis de saúde bucal, má oclusão e de hábitos orais deletérios com o desempenho escolar percebido pelos responsáveis. Conclusão Crianças de famílias com menores rendas, que recebem ajuda financeira do governo, com pior avaliação da saúde bucal e higiene oral, do sexo masculino e que são cuidadas por pessoas que não os pais apresentaram maior chance de ter o desempenho escolar comprometido.

Stomathognatic system function in indigenous people from Brazilian Xingu villages: An electromyographic analysis

The maintenance of postural balance can be influenced by the lifestyle of a population. This study aimed to determine the electromyographic activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles during mandibular tasks and habitual and non-habitual chewing in indigenous individuals to reveal the differences among white Brazilian individuals. Sixty Brazilians (18 and 28 years) were divided into two groups: 30 Xingu indigenous individuals and 30 white Brazilian individuals, with 20 men and 10 women in each group. The individuals were assessed using the normalized electromyographic activity of mandibular tasks (rest, protrusion, right and left laterality) and electromyographic activity of masticatory cycles in habitual (peanuts and raisins) and non-habitual (Parafilm M) chewing. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test (p < .05). Comparisons between the groups demonstrated significant differences. Indigenous individuals group presented a decrease in the normalized electromyographic activity of the masticatory muscles during mandibular rest [right masseter (p = .002) and left masseter (p = .004) muscles]. There was increase in the normalized electromyographic activity during protrusion [left temporal (p = .03) muscle]. There was increase in the electromyographic activity during chewing: peanuts [right masseter (p = .001), left masseter (p = .001) and right temporal (p = .01) muscles], raisins [right masseter (p = .001), left masseter (p = .002), right temporal (p = .008), left temporal (p = .01) muscles] and Parafilm M [left masseter muscle (p = .05)]. From the findings of this study, we concluded that in the comparison between indigenous and white individuals, positive changes were observed in the electromyographic pattern of the masticatory muscles in the mandibular postural conditions, with greater masticatory efficiency in the indigenous group.

Perspective: Novel Commercial Packaging and Devices for Complementary Feeding

In recent years, so-called baby food pouches and other novel packaging and devices have been marketed for complementary feeding. To date, no experimental studies have been conducted to determine health and nutrition effects or the safety of baby food pouches and related feeding devices. Yet, these products hold the potential to fundamentally change the ways in which infants and children consume solid foods in infancy and early childhood. In this review, a selection of complementary feeding devices and their potential effects on breastfeeding, formula-feeding, safe and appropriate complementary feeding, and the timely transition to family foods are explored. Because manufacturers have innovated older designs of traditional feeding bottles and pacifiers for complementary feeding, perspectives on potential health effects and the safety of devices are drawn from research on feeding bottles and pacifiers. Recommendations include scaling up research on the safety, nutrition, and health impacts of commercial packaging and devices. In addition, manufacturers should ensure that devices conform to consumer product safety commission specifications and that instructions for use are in line with policies protecting pediatric dental health. Marketing of commercial devices and packaging should conform to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.

Symptoms of dysphagia in children with cleft lip and/or palate pre- and post-surgical correction

PURPOSE

Determine the occurrence of dysphagia symptoms in children with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) pre- and post-surgical correction.

METHODS

Quantitative observational cross-sectional study. Existence of clef lip and/or palate without association with other syndromes was the study inclusion and/or exclusion criterion. Parents and/or legal guardians responded to a recall questionnaire on the identification of occurrence of coughing, choking, vomiting, and nasal escape pre- and postoperatively and whether these symptoms disappeared after surgical correction. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the aforementioned Institution under protocol no. 1573164.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 23 children with mean age of 48 months, mostly male and with unilateral trans-foramen incisor clefts. Statistically significant difference was observed between the pre- and post-surgical periods regarding the presence of dysphagia symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Surgical treatment of patients with cleft lip and/or palate proved to be a resource to prevent the occurrence of dysphagia symptoms when associated with adequate intervention chronology.