Prevalence of functional disturbances and diseases of the stomatognathic system in 7-14 year olds.

An epidemiological investigation was carried out in Malmö/Sweden to determine the prevalence of symptoms and signs of functional disturbances and diseases of the stomatognathic system in children aged 7-14. Four-hundred and forty children (440) were randomly selected, interviewed and clinically examined. The interview revealed 36% with symptoms, 15% with recurrent headaches and 13% reported clicking sounds from the temporomandibular joints. Seventy-seven per cent (77%) of the children reported at least one of the following oral parafunctions grinding clenching lip- and cheek-biting, nail-biting or thumb-sucking. In the clinical examination occlusal interferences in RP were found in 79% and mediotrusion interferences in 78%. More than half of the children 64%, claimed pain on palpation of the temporomandibular joint muscles and more than one third (39%) claimed pain on palpation of the temporomandibular joint. It is concluded that children are suffering from diseases and functional disturbances of the stomatognathic system.