Evaluation Of Maximum Occlusal Bite Force And Its Inter-Relation To Body Mass Index (BMI), Nutritional Status And Dental Caries In Children.

The relationship between biting forces, nutritional status and dental caries is of clinical importance and has been a source of debate. The study aims to assess the maximum bite force and its inter-relation to body mass index (BMI), nutritional status and dental caries among 3-6-year-old children of Pimpri, Pune, India. Materials and methods: A total of 222 children aged 3-6 years old were recruited based on the preset inclusion and exclusion criteria. Bite force measurement was carried out using a customized digital bite force meter. Single examiner has recorded the anamnesis, caries status using deft index, measurement of the anthropometric data and maximum biting force (MBF). Results: No discernible relation was found between malnutrition and gender. No significant difference was found between bite force and deft score and gender and side of the mouth. Inverse relation was found between deft score and mean MBF. Subjects with severe acute malnutrition had the lowest mean MBF suggesting a significant correlation between malnutrition and a decrease in mean MBF. Conclusion: This study found that inadequate nutrition is associated to decreased biting force and the deft score increased significantly as the severity of malnutrition increased.