Prevalence of Mouth-Breathing Tendency Among 6–12-Year-Old Schoolchildren in Mumbai, Maharashtra: A Cross-Sectional School-Based Study Authors’ Information:

Abstract

Background: Mouth breathing in children may reflect airway compromise or an established habit
and has been linked with oral and dentofacial changes. Local school-based data from large Indian
metropolitan settings remain limited.
Objectives: To estimate the frequency of mouth-breathing tendency using functional screening tests
among 6–12-year-old schoolchildren in Mumbai, and to examine age- and gender-wise patterns
along with selected associated clinical indicators.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted among schoolchildren aged 6–12
years in Mumbai. Children were screened using two chairside functional tests, mouth mirror (fog)
test and Massler water-holding test, along with clinical assessment for lip incompetence, adenoid
facies, and anterior open bite. Descriptive statistics were computed, and age- and gender-wise
associations were tested using the chi-square test (two-sided; significance set at p<0.05).
Results: A total of 800 children were examined (male 53.75%, female 46.25%). Across age groups,
mouth mirror test positivity ranged from 3.1% to 4.6% (overall p=0.541), and water-holding test
positivity ranged from 1.4% to 2.8% (overall p=0.468). Concurrent positivity on both tests ranged
from 4.6% to 5.3% (overall p=0.903). Clinical indicators were infrequent and showed no significant
age-wise differences (lip incompetence p=0.867; adenoid facies p=0.912; anterior open bite
p=0.269). Gender-wise, mouth mirror test positivity did not differ significantly (p=0.243), while
water-holding test positivity was higher in females than males (p=0.042); other gender comparisons
were not significant.
Conclusion: Functional screening indicators of mouth-breathing tendency were uncommon in this
school-based Mumbai cohort and did not vary meaningfully by age. A small gender-related
difference was observed for water-holding test positivity, while other screening outcomes and
associated clinical indicators showed no clear demographic patterning.