Masticatory function after comprehensive dental treatment in children with severe early childhood caries

Background: Parents are frequently concerned that their child's mastication may be compromised after comprehensive dental treatment. Aim: To evaluate changes in masticatory function and food preferences after dental treatment in children with early childhood caries. Design: This prospective study assessed masticatory function with the (1) mixing ability test using duo-coloured chewing gum and (2) the number of chews/g and time taken to eat six food items before and 3 months after dental treatment. A dental examination and a food preference questionnaire were also completed. Results: Twenty-five children (age: 4.9 ± 0.5 years, baseline dmft/child: 11.4 ± 4.9) completed the study. The mean number of restorations/child, total extractions/child, and posterior extractions/child was 5.1 ± 2.9, 6.4 ± 5.2, and 3.6 ± 2.3, respectively. The number of chews/g of cereal (p =.014) and popcorn (p =.003) significantly increased after dental treatment. The number of chews/g and duration taken for cereal (chews/g: r = 0.795, p =.000, duration: r = 0.794, p =.000) and peanuts (chews/g: r = 0.459, p =.032) were significantly associated with more extractions. There was no change in mastication function for the other foods, mixing ability score, and child's food preferences after dental treatment. Conclusions: An increased number of chews/g is needed for certain hard foods after dental treatment, which was associated with an increased number of total and posterior extractions.