Mouth Breathing in Schoolchildren in Ankawa District: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Orthodontic Implications in a Cross-Sectional Study with Home-Based Test Validation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15218/edj.2026.3Keywords:
Sleep Apnea Syndromes, Mouth Breathing, Malocclusion/etiology, Orthodontics, Interceptive, Mass ScreeningAbstract
Background and Objective: Mouth breathing is common in children and has been associated with a range of clinical concerns. Early recognition may help orthodontists and other healthcare professionals identify and manage this condition.
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of mouth breathing among school-aged children in the Ankawa district and to examine its associations with demographic factors, sleep-related symptoms, general well-being, and parent-reported school functioning.
Methods: A cross-sectional school-based study was conducted among 270 primary schoolchildren using multistage stratified cluster sampling. Data were collected using a parent-completed questionnaire and a home-based water retention screening test. Students were trained during school visits, and parents completed the questionnaire at home after providing written informed consent.
Results: Based on the water retention screening test, 48% of the sample screened positive for mouth breathing. Children who retained water in their mouths for more than 3 minutes were classified as nasal breathers. Only 15.9% were reported to habitually breathe through the mouth during the day, while 18.1% were reported to do so during sleep. No statistically significant differences were found by age or sex (p > 0.05). However, a significant difference was observed between public and private school students (p < 0.05). A significant association was also found between positive screening test results and parent-reported teacher concern about the child's attention (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Mouth breathing was common in this sample of school-aged children. Early recognition and increased awareness may help support timely assessment and management of potential health, behavioral, and academic consequences.
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