ORAL HABITS AND THEIR IMPACT ON DEVELOPING DENTOFACIAL STRUCTURES: A CROSSSECTIONAL STUDY IN CHILDREN AGED 4–12

Background:Children’s oral habits such as thumb sucking, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, lip biting, and bruxism can adversely affect dentofacial development. If these habits persist during the critical period of craniofacial growth, they may lead to malocclusions and skeletal abnormalities, which can become irreversible during adolescence. Objectives:To assess the prevalence of oral habits in children aged 4–12 years and to evaluate their association with dentofacial anomalies. Results:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 children. Clinical examinations were performed to record occlusal and facial parameters, and parent-filled questionnaires documented the type, frequency, and duration of oral habits. Statistical tests (Chi-square and logistic regression) were applied, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Oral habits were observed in 62% of the children. Thumb sucking was the most common (28%), followed by mouth breathing (20%), tongue thrusting (8%), lip biting (4%), and bruxism (2%). Mouth breathing showed a significant association with posterior crossbite and long-face pattern, while thumb sucking was linked to increased overjet and anterior open bite. Longer duration of habits was significantly associated with greater severity of abnormalities. Conclusion:Destructive oral habits have a measurable impact on dentofacial development. Early identification and timely intervention are crucial to preventing long-term malocclusions and ensuring proper craniofacial growth in children.