Dental health, halitosis and mouth breathing in 10-to-15 year old children: A potential connection

Authors

  • J Alqutami The LIFE Child study team - Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 12, 04103 Leipzig
  • W Elger The LIFE Child study team - Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 12, 04103 Leipzig
  • N Grafe LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig, Leipzig
  • A Hiemisch LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig - Department of Women and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Center for Pediatric Research (CPL), University of Leipzig, Leipzig
  • W Kiess LIFE Leipzig Research Center for Civilization Diseases, University of Leipzig - Department of Women and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents and Center for Pediatric Research (CPL), University of Leipzig, Leipzig
  • C Hirsch The LIFE Child study team Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 12, 04103 Leipzig

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2019.20.04.03

Keywords:

Dental caries, Gingivitis, Halitosis, Mouth breathing

Abstract

AIM: The relationship between mouth breathing and dental caries, gingival inflammation, and halitosis in children is contentious with studies reporting positive and negative associations; this study aimed at investigating the effect of mouth breathing on dental, gingival health status, and halitosis. MATERIALS: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out involving 785 randomly selected children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15 in the city of Leipzig, Germany (LIFE Child cohort). Caries levels and gingival health status for the upper-right and the lower-left central incisors were assessed by evaluating ICDAS scores and CPI scores, respectively. A standardised questionnaire was used to assess self-reported mouth-breathing habit and halitosis. CONCLUSION: Mouth breathing habit has no effect on the prevalence of caries or gingivitis based on examining the upper-right central incisor (11) and the lower-left central incisor. However, mouth breathers showed a significant increase in halitosis compared to nasal-breathing individuals.