Self-reported justification for prolonged indulgence in oral habits in a group of Nigerian school children aged 6 to 12 years old

Abstract

Background: Oral habits are repetitive behaviors in the oral cavity, which may have deleterious effects on the occlusion when continued beyond four years of age. Objective: To determine the reasons for the prolonged indulgence in non-nutritive oral habits by school children aged 6 to 12 years old. Materials and methods: This were a cross-sectional study conducted among two hundred and twentyone (221) 6 to 12-year-old Primary and Junior High schoolchildren. Data Analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software Version 20.0. Significance was determined at 95% confidence interval and statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Majority of the male participants (57, 63.3%) could not adduce any reason while the females (50, 60.2%) cited "I enjoy doing it" as their reason for indulging in oral habits (p=0.02). Majority of the younger children (6-9 years old) claimed that it helped them to sleep (30, 85.7%, p=0.006) and they enjoyed the habit (57, 68.7%), whilst older children said it helped them to concentrate (19, 38.8%). Statistically significant associations were recorded between 'helping me to fall asleep' and finger sucking, cheek biting, tooth grinding and anterior tongue resting position. Conclusion: The younger children adduced the habit to their ability to concentrate and shyness, whilst the older participants particularly females adduced pleasure as the major reason. Majority of participants did not have any reason for these habits.