Oral habits in relation to dental caries and gingival health among children attending the dental hospital

Abstract EN

The purpose of this study was to detect "Bad oral habits" involving finger sucking, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting and lip sucking among children attending the Department of Pedodontic, College of Dentistry for the first time.

These habits were studied in relation to dental caries and gingival health condition.

Material and method: Out of 500 children who attended the Department of Pedodontic for first time, (35) children were found to have oral habits, 20 males and 15 females with an age range of 5-12 years.

Those were having oral habit as finger sucking; mouth breathing, tongue thrust and lip sucking were examined for their dental and gingival health by using dmft / DMFT index, PLI and GI indices.

Result: This study showed that children with bad oral habits constituted only (7%) of total examined subjects.

The predominant type of bad oral habits was finger sucking (42.8%).

A positive relation between dental caries, plaque and gingival indices and bad oral habits was found.

Conclusion: Bad oral habits may act as a predisposing factor for dental caries and gingivitis