Influence of malalignment and malocclusion on mental and physical health-consciousness in senior high school students

Objectives Dental examinations and a questionnaire survey were carried out simultaneously in senior high schools to investigate influence of tooth misalignment and malocclusion on mental and physical health-consciousness of the students. Methods The questionnaire survey concerning health-consciousness was collected after the dental examination. The students were divided into three groups by their findings: “within a normal range”; “mild-”, and “severe- misalignment and malocclusion”. The relationship between the severity of dental abnormality and mental and physical status in health by the questionnaire survey was studied. Results The severity of misalignment and malocclusion correlated with 1) degree of consciousness of irregular teeth, and 2) degree of negative evaluation of themselves for their health-consciousness. Conclusion There is possibility that the severity of misalignment and malocclusion corresponds to a negative self evaluation and causes mental stress. It is suggested that it is very important to identify young people with such problems at an early stage, and then to consult and promote correct dental alignment and occlusion, providing not only sufficient mastication but also unhampered mental development.