European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background/purpose
Previous studies have suggested that mouth breathing has harmful effects on oral health in
children, but the evidence has been insufficient. To investigate the association of mouth
breathing with oral health in school children aged 8–11 years from Nagpur city , India
Materials and methods
Cross-sectional data were obtained from March to April 2019. A questionnaire was used to
investigate children's mouth breathing habits and personal/family histories related to allergic
disease. Oral health status was determined through a clinical oral examination. Data were
analyzed with multivariable logistic regression.
Results
In total, 1007 children were included. We observed no association between mouth breathing
and dental caries in children. However mouth breathing was associated with child's tonsillitis
and was identified as a possible risk factor for class II dental malocclusion.