LAUSR

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 by the (1) mixing ability test using duo-coloured chewing gum and (2) the number of chews/g and time taken to eat 6 foods 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 were 5.1±2.9, 6.4±5.2 and 3.6±2.3 respectively. The number of chews/g of cereal (p=0.014) and popcorn (p=0.003) significantly increased after dental treatment. The number of chews/g and/or duration taken for cereal (chews/g: r=0.795, p=0.000, duration: r=0.794, p=0.000) and peanuts (chews/g: r=0.459, p=0.032) 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.