Work

Impact of Mouth Breathing on Dental Caries in Children and Its High Medical Costs

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Mouth breathing (MB) is a pediatric public health concern potentially increasing dental caries risk. We investigated risk factors, relationships between clinical characteristics and medical costs, and their effects on caries severity. Study design: Observation study. Setting: Analysis of clinical characteristics, medical costs, and dental caries in MB children. Participants: Eighty-six children with MB secondary to adenoid hypertrophy (AH) and/or tonsillar hypertrophy, recruited from an ENT department (June-August 2023). Measurements: MB diagnosis via validated criteria; dental caries assessment; questionnaire on demographics, medical history, body mass index, Paediatric Yorkhill Malnutrition Score, perinatal factors, feeding practices, oral hygiene, parental education, and costs. Results: Caries prevalence was 40.7% (35/86). Caries correlated significantly with longer MB duration ( P = .013), higher total IgE ( P = .004), and delayed toothbrushing initiation ( P = .001). AH severity (assessed by Pharyngeal Airway Space, P = .013; choanal obstruction grade, P = .006) correlated with caries. Non-caries children showed higher breastfeeding rates ( P = .026). Multivariate analysis identified formula feeding (odds ratio (OR) = 10.099, P = .026), longer disease duration (OR = 1.495, P = .035), and delayed oral hygiene initiation (OR = 2.171, P = .025) as independent caries predictors. Medical costs positively correlated with maternal education ( r = 0.280, P = .009), AH grade ( r = 0.345, P = .001), disease duration ( r = 0.383, P < .001), and prematurity ( r = 0.457, P < .0001), with maternal education exerting the strongest cost influence. Delayed toothbrushing ( r = 0.213) and formula feeding ( r = 0.219) positively correlated with higher decayed, missing, filled teeth/decayed, missing, or filled surfaces (affected surfaces) indices. Conclusion: MB-associated caries is highly prevalent and costly. Multiple modifiable risk factors contribute to its occurrence in children.

Source: Ear Nose & Throat Journal

DOI: 10.1177/01455613251370571

Authors: Huiyi Deng, Chenyu Zhao, Qintai Yang, Xuekun Huang

Institutions: Sun Yat-sen University, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University

Language: English

Topic: Dental Health and Care Utilization

Subfield: Periodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,650