Problematic media use is associated with poor oral health in Turkish school-age children: a pilot cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: In the recent years, problematic media use (PMU) has become a serious health concern for children. The precisely defined effects of PMU on children’s oral health are unknown. It was aimed to investigate the relationship between the PMU and oral health and oral habits in school-age children. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, mothers and their healthy children aged 6–11 years who applied to pediatric dentistry outpatient clinic were enrolled. PMU was assessed using the parent-reported Problematic Media Use Measure Short Form (PMUM-SF). PMUM-SF scores were divided into 3 groups from the lowest to the highest tertile. Multivariable logistic regressions for PMU (moderate-high vs. low) were used to predict the odds of having good and parafunctional oral habits, poor oral hygiene, gingivitis and caries. RESULTS: Totally 153 mother–child pairs participated in this study. Plaque index, gingival index, ICDAS-II (International Caries Detection and Evaluation System), DMFT and DMFS [decayed (D), missing (M), filled (F) tooth (T) /surfaces (S)] scores were significantly higher in children with moderate-high PMU (P < 0.05). After adjusting for potential confounders, moderate-high PMU decreased the probability of good oral habit of daily toothbrushing [Odds (95% CI) = 0.43 (0.20–0.94)] while it increased the risk of oral parafunctional habit of object sucking/biting [Odds (95% CI) = 3.34 (1.27–8.74)]. Moderate-high PMU increased the risk of moderate-severe gingivitis, moderate-extensive caries and the presence of DMFT [Odds (95% CI) = 2.13 (1.01–4.50); 4.54 (1.11–18.54) and 2.16 (1.07–4.36), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Turkish school-age children with a remarkable PMU were significantly more likely to have poor oral health and exhibit oral parafunctional habits Oral health screening seems to be needed for Turkish children experiencing PMU.