title: Prevalence of functional disturbances and diseases of the stomatognathic system in 7-14 year olds.
abstract: An epidemiological investigation was carried out in Malmö/Sweden to determine the prevalence of symptoms and signs of functional disturbances and diseases of the stomatognathic system in children aged 7-14. Four-hundred and forty children (440) were randomly selected, interviewed and clinically examined. The interview revealed 36% with symptoms, 15% with recurrent headaches and 13% reported clicking sounds from the temporomandibular joints. Seventy-seven per cent (77%) of the children reported at least one of the following oral parafunctions grinding clenching lip- and cheek-biting, nail-biting or thumb-sucking. In the clinical examination occlusal interferences in RP were found in 79% and mediotrusion interferences in 78%. More than half of the children 64%, claimed pain on palpation of the temporomandibular joint muscles and more than one third (39%) claimed pain on palpation of the temporomandibular joint. It is concluded that children are suffering from diseases and functional disturbances of the stomatognathic system.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008409:Mastication; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010173:Palpation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013548:Sweden; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*