Khong, J. S. Y., Goh, A. T., Sim, Y. F., Lai, B. W. P., Forde, C. G., & Hong, C. H. L. (2021). Masticatory function after comprehensive dental treatment in children with severe early childhood caries. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. doi:10.1111/ipd.12854
Abstract:
Background:
Parents are frequently concerned that their child's mastication may be compromised after comprehensive dental treatment.
Aim:
To evaluate changes in masticatory function and food preferences after dental treatment in children with early childhood caries.
Design:
This prospective study assessed masticatory function with the (1) mixing ability test using duo-coloured chewing gum and (2) the number of chews/g and time taken to eat six food items before and 3 months after dental treatment. A dental examination and a food preference questionnaire were also completed.
Results:
Twenty-five children (age: 4.9 ± 0.5 years, baseline dmft/child: 11.4 ± 4.9) completed the study. The mean number of restorations/child, total extractions/child, and posterior extractions/child was 5.1 ± 2.9, 6.4 ± 5.2, and 3.6 ± 2.3, respectively. The number of chews/g of cereal (p = .014) and popcorn (p = .003) significantly increased after dental treatment. The number of chews/g and duration taken for cereal (chews/g: r = 0.795, p = .000, duration: r = 0.794, p = .000) and peanuts (chews/g: r = 0.459, p = .032) were significantly associated with more extractions. There was no change in mastication function for the other foods, mixing ability score, and child's food preferences after dental treatment.
Conclusions:
An increased number of chews/g is needed for certain hard foods after dental treatment, which was associated with an increased number of total and posterior extractions.
License type:
Publisher Copyright
Funding Info:
There was no specific funding for the research done
Description:
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Khong, J. S. Y., Goh, A. T., Sim, Y. F., Lai, B. W. P., Forde, C. G., & Hong, C. H. L. (2021). Masticatory function after comprehensive dental treatment in children with severe early childhood caries. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. doi:10.1111/ipd.12854, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ipd.12854. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions