PURPOSE: to investigate the possible alterations caused by breathing modus in mastication in a group of children with complete first teething, nasal and mouth breathing. Method: 46 children took part in this investigation (23 children were nasal breathing- NB and 23 children mouth breathing- MB). Children were enrolled in two public kindergartens in São Caetano do Sul. Their parents were asked to fill out a form in order to collect information about their children's breathing. This data was related with oral miofunctional evaluation to check the children's breathing modus. NB and MB groups were formed and a mastication function evaluation was carried out by observation means and videoing the children while they were masticating French bread. RESULTS: fontal bite: NB, 91.3%; MB, 82.6%. Alternate bilateral mastication: NB, 78.3%; MB, 82.0%. Vertical and rotating movements: NB, 95.7%; MB, 100%. Average time of mastication of NB group: 24.0 sec.; average time of MB group: 15.9 sec. Symmetry of average volume taken: NB, 73.9%; MB, 73.9%. Without any residue of food: NB, 73.9%; MB, 39.1%. Absence of noise: NB, 91.3%; MB, 60.9%. Open lips: NB, 4.3%; MB, 56.5%; Symmetry of masseter and temporalis muscles: NB, 100%; MB, 100% in both groups. CONCLUSION: significant statistical difference occurred in breathing modus comparison, negatively affecting some aspects of mouth breathing's mastication, which were mastication time, residue of food in the oral cavity, lips posture and noise during mastication.
Mastication; Mouth Breathing; Stomatognathic System; Dentition, Primary
