Association Between Trouble Sleeping and Oral Conditions Among Schoolchildren

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of self-reported trouble sleeping due to dental problems and its association with oral conditions in schoolchildren. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with a representative sample of 1,589 schoolchildren aged 8-10 years enrolled in public schools from Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Non-clinical data included a questionnaire about socioeconomic indicators answered by parents/guardians. Children were questioned about whether they had trouble sleeping due to dental problems and about previous history of toothache. Clinical oral examinations were performed to evaluate dental caries - Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth Index (DMFT/dmft index) and its clinical consequences [PUFA/pufa index: considering the presence of pulpal involvement (P/p); ulceration of tissues due to tooth fragments from decayed crowns (U/u); fistula (F/f); and abscesses (A/a), and traumatic dental injuries (TDI)]. We conducted a descriptive analysis and used adjusted logistic regression models (p<0.05; 95%CI). Results: The prevalence of trouble sleeping due to dental problems was 28%. Children with untreated dental caries (OR 1.32; 95%CI 1.05-1.67) and clinical consequences from the PUFA/pufa index (OR 1.89; 95%CI 1.45-2.46) had higher chances of reporting trouble sleeping due to dental problems. Conclusions: Approximately one-third of the children declared having trouble sleeping due to dental problems. Untreated dental caries and its clinical consequences were associated with self-reported trouble sleeping due to dental problems in schoolchildren.

The Relationship between Sleep, Chronotype, and Dental Caries—A Narrative Review

“…Sleep problems in childhood can affect the child’s health and development [ 62 ]. For example, inadequate sleep is associated with early childhood dental caries [ 63 ], and children’s dental problems affect their sleep [ 64 ]. On the other hand, healthy sleeping habits are associated with strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of heart and metabolic disorders [ 26 ].…”

“…Studies have shown that poor sleep or poor sleep quality can increase the risk of developing dental caries [ 27 , 48 ]. Moreover, some studies have suggested that poor sleep quality and insufficient sleep may be associated with a higher risk of dental caries, as reflected by the DMFT index [ 26 , 63 , 64 ]. One reason for this connection is that insufficient sleep can lead to changes in the body’s immune system, making it less effective at fighting off bacteria that cause dental caries [ 65 ].…”

“…Insufficient sleep has been associated with an increased risk of dental caries in adolescents [ 64 ]. Several studies have investigated the relationship between sleep duration or sleep quality and dental caries in adolescents, with some suggesting that insufficient sleep may be a risk factor for caries [ 26 , 63 , 64 , 65 ]. Thus, Sardana et al reported that irregular or late bedtimes and fewer hours of sleep were independent risk factors for caries in early childhood [ 26 ].…”

“…Duration and quality of sleep were significantly related to symptoms of dental disease in a study by Choi et al [ 65 ]. Moro et al took a slightly different approach and examined sleep problems in school children due to dental issues and came to similar conclusions—sleep problems in school children are associated with untreated dental caries [ 64 ]. Although these studies were conducted on different continents, they all came to one solid conclusion—sleep is a risk factor for the development of dental caries.…”

“…Short sleep duration, typically defined as less than 7 h per night, has been associated with an increased risk of dental caries in children and adults [ 26 , 63 ]. Long sleep duration, typically defined as more than 9 h per night, has also been associated with an increased risk of dental caries, particularly in children [ 64 ]. Research has shown that children who slept less than 8 h during the night had an increased risk of caries compared to children who slept more than 11 h [ 26 , 53 ].…”