Correlation between periodontal diseases and mouth breathing

Some studies have reported direct relationship between mouth breathing and increased susceptibility of patients to develop periodontal diseases. The present study was designed to evaluate the correlation between periodontal diseases and mouth breathing in Iranian population. This historical cohort study was conducted with 90 participants aged 20-35 years-old, who were referred to Isfahan Dental School and few other private dental clinics in the city of Isfahan in the year 2003. All participants had to be free of relevant systemic conditions. The cases were defined as patients with mouth breathing, having dome-shaped palate and open mouth (lips) when in rest position. Oral examination was conducted using 3 diagnostic criteria. Forty-five patients who were confirmed by all three criteria were included in the study as cases. The control group was composed of subjects who had normal breathing from their nose. The gingival index was determined for posterior and anterior regions of all participants. The statistical analysis was conducted and Mann–Whitney U tests was used in order to determine group differences. The gingival indices in the anterior region of cases were determined. The number of individual with scores 1, 2 and 3 were five (11.1%), 36 (80%) and four (8.9%) respectively. The scores in control group for five subjects (11.1%) was (0) or had no gingival condition, 32 (71.1%) subjects had score one and eight (17.8%) had score 2. The group differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). No significant difference was detected in posterior gingival indices (P>0.05). Mouth breathing can be a contributing factor in increasing the risk of periodontal diseases. Key words: Mouth breathing - Periodontal diseases - Gingival index. Corresponding Author: Dr. Abrishami MR., Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Tehran, Iran