title: Association between respiratory problems and dental caries in children with bruxism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bruxism is the habit of clenching or grinding one's teeth in non-functional activities and affects both children and adults alike. Respiratory problems, such as asthma and upper airway infections, are reported to be the etiological factors of bruxism.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is an association between respiratory problems and dental caries in children who exhibit the habit of bruxism.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational cross-sectional study was carried out.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient histories were taken and clinical exams were performed on 90 children for selection and allocation to one of two groups. For the determination of bruxism, a questionnaire was administered to parents/guardians and an oral clinical exam was performed based on the criteria of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Thirty-three male and female children between 4 and 7 years of age participated in the study - 14 children with bruxism and 19 children without bruxism.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test, with level of significance set at 5% (P < 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the participants was 5.73 years. The male gender accounted for 45.5% (n = 15) of the sample and the female gender accounted for 54.5% (n = 18). A statistically significant association was found between respiratory problems and dental caries among the children with bruxism. Seventy-seven percent of the children with bruxism had caries and 62.5% the children with respiratory problems exhibited the habit of bruxism.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There seems to be an association between bruxism, respiratory problems, and dental caries in children.
authors.forename: Lara Jansiski
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Motta
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Sciences Post Graduation Program, Nove de Julho University (UNINOVE), Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina Carvalho
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Bortoletto
authors.forename: Alyne Jacques
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Raquel Agnelli Mesquita
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: Kristianne Porta Santos
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Sandra Kalil
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Bussadori
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications*; D002012:Bruxism / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications*