INCIDENCE OF BAD ORAL HABITS AMONG 8-12 YEAR OLD CHILDREN

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of bad oral habits among 8-12 year-old children and to compare the results according to age and oral health. 107 children aged 8-12 years were examined for df, dfs, DMFT, DMFS, dental plaque and gingival bleeding indices, improper oral hygenie habits and bad oral habits (mouth breathing, finger sucking, nail biting, tongue thrust, bruxizm, pacifier sucking, pushing of the tongue using a finger/object, lip biting, cheek/pencil biting, self injuries behaviour, toothpick usage). 59 children were in high caries risk group (55.1%), 19 children were in low caries risk group (17.8%). The mean average of plaque index of low caries risk group was statistically lower than the mean average plaque index of high and moderate caries risk groups (p = 0.031, p = 0.022). Statistically significant differences were found between self injuries behaviour and age (p = 0.042). The most frequent habit was cheek/pencil biting, which was present in 38 subjects (35.5%). Mouth breathing, nail biting and tongue thrust were observed in 20 (18.7%), 17 (15.9%), 12 (11.2%) subjects. Significant differences were found between pushing of the tongue and plaque index, toothpick usage and bleeding index (p = 0.013, p = 0.01). Early diagnosis of the bad oral habits by dentists and appliying the adequete therapy in cooperation with other disciplines may help the child to get out of oral habits and may prevent the development of severe anomalies