Digit Sucking Habit and Association with Dental Caries and Oral Hygiene Status of Children Aged 6 Months to 12 Years Resident in Semi-Urban Nigeria

Abstract

ObjectivesNon-nutritive sucking (NNS) is a common behavior in childhood. The association between digit sucking, dental caries and oral health has been studied with inconclusive results. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of, and the association between digit sucking, caries and oral hygiene status of children age six months to 12 years, resident in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Ife Central Local Government Area of Osun State. Data were collected through a household survey using a multi-stage sampling procedure from children between six months and 12 years. Details of each child’s socio-demographic characteristics, digit sucking habits, caries status and oral health status were collected. The association between digit sucking, caries status and oral hygiene status was determined using Chi square and Logistic regression.ResultsThe mean age of the 992 study participants was 5.8 ± (3.2) years. The prevalence of digit sucking, caries and poor oral hygiene were 7.2%, 10.5% and 2.4% respectively. The mean dmft score was 0.22 ± (0.80), mean DMFT score was 0.04 ± (0.30) while mean Oral Hygiene Index score was 1.27 ± (0.73). Digit sucking increased the odds of having caries (OR: 1.28; CI: 0.58–2.81) but decreased the odds of having poor oral hygiene (OR: 0.58; CI: 0.34–1.01) insignificantly.ConclusionsDigit sucking was not a significant predictor of caries and oral hygiene status, although the odds of having caries increased while the odds of having poor oral hygiene decreased with digit sucking.

Effects of nutrition and hygiene education on oral health and growth among toddlers in rural Uganda: follow‐up of a cluster‐randomised controlled trial

“…The household factors did not show significant associations with the occurrence and severity of caries in children within or between the groups. This observation is contrary to what other studies have found in rural setting . Children from low socio‐economic status background were not likely to access oral hygiene aids and therefore more prone to caries .…”

Association Between Early Childhood Caries And Malnutrition In A Sub-Urban Population In Nigeria

“…This study was a sub-study of a primary study that determined the association between digit sucking, caries and periodontitis in 6-months-olds to 12-year-olds resident in Ile-Ife [43]. The primary data were collected through a household survey using a three-level cluster sampling procedure.…”

“…Radiographs were not used in this study. The intraexaminer correlation scores ranged between 0.89-0.94, while inter-examiner kappa Cohen scores ranged between 0.82-0.90 for caries detection and OHI-S [43,44]. The dmft score was obtained by adding the d, m and f scores for each child less than 6 years of age.…”

Digit Sucking, Age, Sex, and Socioeconomic Status as Determinants of Oral Hygiene Status and Gingival Health of Children in Suburban Nigeria

“…This report is part of a large study determining factors associated with NNS habits. Part of this study has been previously reported by Kolawole et al 23 Nine hundred and ninety‐two participants (508 [51.2%] males and 484 [48.8%] females, aged 1 to 12 years; mean age [± 95% confidence interval (CI)]: 5.83 [± 3.15] years; modal age: 3 years [12.3%]) who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for this study.…”

“…Recruitment continued in enumeration sites until the study sample per data collector was reached. Details of the sampling and data collection process has been reported by Kolawole et al 23 …”