[Asthma-associated oral and dental health repercussions in children aged 6 to 12 years].

BACKGROUND

Asthma, which is characterized by mouth breathing and by the use of drugs for its treatment, affects between 1 and 30% of children and adolescents. There are only few studies reporting its impact on the oral cavity.

OBJECTIVE

To find out the most common asthma-associated repercussions in 6 to 12-year-old children.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, comparative, analytical study carried out in 2 primary schools from Coclique, Veracruz, Mexico, in 6 to 12-year-old children. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire for parents was used.

RESULTS

In a population of 409 children, a prevalence of asthma of 6.84% (n = 28) was found, which was higher in males (15, 54%); boys aged 6, 7 and 11 years and girls aged 8, 9 and 10 years were most affected. Risk factors for oral manifestations were acidic pH (OR = 170), caries (OR = 4.29), anterior open bite (OR = 66.78), gingivitis (OR = 9.75), atypical swallowing (OR = 15.70) and high-arched palate (OR = 45.60).

CONCLUSION

Children with chronic conditions such as asthma require an oral and dental preventive program as part of their interdisciplinary care.