The Mastication Ability of Children with Cleft Lip and!

or Palate and Guardians Awareness

of Mastication and Food in their Children

Chihoko TANAKA1), Takeshi NISHIYAMA2), Sakiko SOUTOME2), Emi NAGATA2),

Yukie MISHIGE3), Katsuhiro KITADA4), Setsuko SATO2), Yoichi HINO4),
Taihei YAMAGUCHI4) and Takahiko OHO4)

1)
Division of Clinical Technology, Kagoshima University Medical and Dental Hospital
2)
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Kagoshima University Medical and Dental Hospital
3)
Division of General Dental Practices, Kagoshima University Medical and Dental Hospital
4)
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Kagoshima University
Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences

Abstract: In this study, we sought to determine factors that influence the ability to masticate in children
with a cleft lip and!
or palate (CLP). The subjects were 131 patients aged 4―12 years, and their guardians.
A questionnaire survey was conducted targeting guardians regarding their awareness of diet and
mastication, and about the dietary and living behavior of their children. Additionally, an oral examination
was performed and the mastication ability of children was determined using a chewing gum method. In
the mixed dentition stage, mastication ability was significantly lower in children suffering from CLP than
in children with no such condition. Guardians of children with CLP had greater concerns about the present
and future dental arch of their children than guardians of children without CLP. In children without CLP, a
shorter nursing period in the suckling stage corresponded to stronger mastication ability in the chewing
gum test. Regarding the preparation of meals, about 80％ of guardians answered that they tried to include
hard foods for mastication training for their children. Diet analysis, however, revealed that soft foods
accounted for a large part of meals. These results suggest that the mastication ability of infants with CLP
is low, and their guardians have great concern about the oral conditions of the children. Providing
guardians with specific information about effective foods is important for developing the mastication
ability of their children, especially in infants who have CLP.
J Dent Hlth 60: 88―95, 2010

Key words: Mastication, Cleft lip and!

or palate, Diet analysis