Avaliação de risco à cárie : estudo comparativo entre dois instrumentos

A cárie é uma doença ainda prevalente em países em desenvolvimento e uma das maiores responsáveis pela perda dental precoce. Diversos fatores podem determinar o aumento do risco à cárie. O estabelecimento de critérios capazes de quantificar este risco e classificar os pacientes de acordo com o nível de periculosidade em relação à esta doença é imprescindível para a promoção de saúde. No Centro de Pesquisa e Atendimento Odontológico para Pacientes Especiais (Cepae-FOP-Unicamp), cujo objetivo é a promoção da saúde, trabalhando com práticas preventivas de forma precoce, adotou-se um modelo de instrumento para avaliação de risco à cárie baseado na concepção biopsicossocial dos fatores de risco. O objetivo deste estudo foi classificar as crianças participantes do Programa Preventivo oferecido pelo Cepae, de acordo com o risco à cárie, identificando os fatores mais prevalentes na determinação do risco e comparar este instrumento com o utilizado pela Secretaria de Estado de Saúde (SES-SP). Os dados foram coletados por meio de investigação dos prontuários clínicos das crianças e os resultados mostraram que, a maioria das crianças foi classificada como sendo de médio risco à cárie, segundo o instrumento elaborado pelo Cepae e como baixo risco, segundo SES-SP. Os itens mais prevalentes na determinação do risco foram escovação antes de dormir e colaboração da criança para higiene oral em casa.The cavity is a disease even prevalent in developed countries and is one of the most responsible thing for the premature dental loss. Many reasons can determine the increase of risk to cavity. The study and the establishment of criterion that are able to quantify this and classify the patient according to the level of dangerousness in relation to this disease has become an indispensable tool for the promotion of health. In the Center of Odontologic Research and Assistance for Special Patients ( Cepae FOP UNICAMP ), whose goal is the promotion of health, working with preventive practices in a premature way, a model of instrument was adopted for the evaluation of risk to cavity based on the biopsychosocial conception of the reasons of risk. The objective of this study was to classify the kids who participated of Preventive Program offered by Cepae, according to the risk to cavity, by identifying the most prevalent reasons on the decision of risk and compare this instrument to the one which was used by the Health Administrative Office (SES SP). The data were collected through investigation of the children\u27s clinical handbooks and the results showed that most of kids was classified as having a medium risk to cavity, according to the instrument ellaborated by Cepae, and as a low risk by SES-SP. The most prevalent itens in the decision of risk were the brushing before sleeping and the child\u27s collaboration for the oral hygiene at home

Evaluation of the biochemical and microbiological composition of salivary adolescents with overweight and obesity

Orientadores: Paula Midori Castelo Ferrua, Taís de Souza BarbosaTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de PiracicabaResumo: Presume-se que alterações na composição bioquímica e microbiológica salivares podem refletir o estado inflamatório, carências nutricionais e dislipidemias associadas ao excesso de peso. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a composição salivar em termos de fluxo e pH salivares, colesterol, 7-cetocolesterol, 25-hidroxivitamina D2 e D3, ácido úrico, fósforo, ureia, cálcio, expressão do fator nuclear Kappa B, Streptococcus mutans e Bifidobacteria em 248 adolescentes (119 meninas/129 meninos) com idades entre 14 e 17 anos. A amostra foi selecionada de escolas públicas de Piracicaba (SP) e o exame físico envolveu as medidas de estatura, peso e porcentagem de gordura corporal por meio de um estadiômetro digital e análise de impedância bioelétrica a fim de classificar a amostra selecionada em eutrofia, sobrepeso e obesidade. Por meio do exame bucal, foi verificada a presença de dentição permanente completa e livre de cavidade de cárie, enquanto a presença de gengivite foi avaliada por meio de parâmetros clínicos e autorrelatado. Coletas de saliva estimulada e não-estimulada foram realizadas para a determinação do pH e fluxo salivar; colesterol, 7-cetocolesterol, ácido úrico e 25-hidroxivitamina D2 e D3 salivares foram determinados por cromatografia líquida de alfa eficiência (HPLC), enquanto as concentrações de fósforo, uréia e cálcio foram determinadas por método colorimétrico/enzimático e técnica automatizada. Por meio de RT-qPCR, avaliou-se o perfil de expressão do NF-Kappa B e, para análise microbiológica, o DNA extraído de saliva não estimulada foi submetido às reações de qPCR para verificar a proporção da espécie Streptococcus mutans e do gênero Bifidobacteria em relação à carga bacteriana total. Os dados foram analisados por meio dos testes Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Qui-quadrado, ANOVA de duas e três vias e regressão linear múltipla. Não houve diferença na frequência de sangramento gengival e gengivite entre os adolescentes classificados como eutrofia, sobrepeso e obesidade. Em 38% das amostras salivares foi possível detectar a expressão do NF-KB. Não houve diferença entre os grupos para os parâmetros bioquímicos 25-hidroxivitamina D2 e D3, colesterol, 7-cetocolesterol, fósforo, cálcio e a ureia. O ácido úrico salivar mostrou ser um importante marcador do acúmulo de gordura corporal e um modelo preditivo para porcentagem de gordura de acordo com a concentração de ácido úrico e o sexo foi proposto. O grupo de adolescentes com eutrofia apresentou menor porcentagem de Streptococcus mutans e Bifidobacteria em relação a carga bacteriana total salivar quando comparado com os outros dois grupos (sobrepeso e obesidade) considerando os fatores sexo e presença de gengivite. A composição salivar em termos de ácido úrico, Streptococcus mutans e Bifidobacteria diferiu de forma significativa entre adolescentes com e sem obesidade, demonstrando a utilidade do uso da saliva na detecção de desvios e monitoramento na prática clínicaAbstract: It is assumed that changes in the biochemical and microbiological composition of saliva may reflect the inflammatory state, nutritional deficiencies and dyslipidemia associated with overweight. The objective of this study was to evaluate the salivary composition in terms of salivary flow and pH, cholesterol, 7-cetocholesterol, 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3, uric acid, phosphorus, urea, calcium, NF-Kappa B, Streptococcus mutans and Bifidobacteria in 248 adolescents (119 girls/129 boys) aged 14 to 17 years. The volunteers were selected from public schools in Piracicaba (SP) and the physical examination involved measures of height, weight and body fat percentage by means of a digital stadiometer and bioelectrical impedance analysis, classifying them in eutrophy, overweight and obesity. Oral examination revealed the presence of a complete permanent dentition and free cavity decay, while the presence of gingivitis was evaluated through clinical and self -reported parameters. Stimulated and non-stimulated saliva collections were performed for the determination of pH and salivary flow; cholesterol, 7-cetocholesterol, uric acid and salivary 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3 were determined by high-efficiency liquid chromatography (HPLC), while phosphorus, urea and calcium concentrations were determined by colorimetric/enzymatic method and automated technique. The expression of NF-Kappa B was evaluated by means of RT-qPCR and, for microbiological analysis, DNA extracted from unstimulated saliva was submitted to qPCR reactions to verify the proportion of Streptococcus mutans and Bifidobacteria in relation to the total bacterial load. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi-square, two- and three-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression. There was no difference in the frequency of gingival bleeding and gingivitis among adolescents classified as eutrophy, overweight and obesity. NF-KB expression was detected in 38% of the salivary samples. There were no differences between groups for the biochemical parameters 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3, cholesterol, 7-cetocholesterol, phosphorus, calcium and urea. Salivary uric acid showed to be an important marker of body fat accumulation and a predictive model for body fat percentage according to uric acid concentration and sex was proposed. The group of adolescents with eutrophy presented a lower percentage of Streptococcus mutans and Bifidobacteria in relation to total salivary bacterial load when compared to the other two groups (overweight and obesity), considering the factors sex and presence of gingivitis. The salivary composition in terms of uric acid, Streptococcus mutans and Bifidobacteria differed significantly between adolescents with and without obesity, showing the usefulness of saliva in the detection of deviations and monitoring in clinical practiceDoutoradoOdontopediatriaDoutora em Odontologia2014/24804-4141062/2016-9FAPESPCNP

Quality of life evaluation and the nutritional and masticatory characteristics of overweight and obese children

Orientadores: Paula Midori Castelo Ferrua, Taís de Souza BarbosaDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de PiracicabaResumo: A prevalência da obesidade em crianças cresceu substancialmente em todo o mundo e, devido ao impacto que acarreta na saúde geral dos indivíduos, percebe-se a necessidade de determinar os fatores associados a esta condição. Sendo assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma avaliação nutricional, mastigatória e da qualidade de vida de escolares da rede pública do município de Piracicaba (SP), de ambos os gêneros, com idades entre 8-10 anos, classificados em magreza, eutrofia, sobrepeso e obesidade, de acordo com o referencial IMC-para-idade e sexo (5-19 anos) da Organização Mundial de Saúde. Para tanto, foram desenvolvidos dois estudos. O objetivo do primeiro estudo (Avaliação da qualidade de vida, fatores socioeconômicos e experiência de cárie em crianças com sobrepeso e obesas de Piracicaba (SP, Brasil) ¿ estudo transversal) foi avaliar a associação entre sobrepeso e obesidade com a qualidade de vida, ansiedade, experiência de cárie e fatores socioeconômicos de escolares. A avaliação antropométrica consistiu na mensuração das dobras cutâneas tricipital e subescapular, circunferência do braço e circunferência abdominal. A qualidade de vida e a ansiedade foram avaliadas por dois instrumentos validados: AUQUEI (Autoquestionnaire Qualité de Vie Enfant Imagé) e Escala Multidimensional de Ansiedade para Crianças (MASC). A experiência de cárie foi avaliada determinando-se os índices CPOD e ceo-d (total de dentes cariados, perdidos e obturados) para dentes permanentes e decíduos, respectivamente. As variáveis anamnésticas e socioeconômicas pesquisadas foram: histórico pré-natal e natal, escolaridade dos pais, renda familiar mensal e posse de itens e bens. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva, testes Qui-quadrado e Kruskal-Wallis, avaliação psicométrica das escalas e regressão logística múltipla para se determinar a associação do sobrepeso/obesidade com as variáveis em estudo (?=0,05). Resultados e Conclusão: O estudo incluiu 313 crianças, sendo quatro com magreza, 188 com eutrofia, 67 com sobrepeso e 54 obesos. Observou-se alto índice de sobrepeso e obesidade nesta população (38,7%); além disso, crianças com diferentes classificações nutricionais não diferiram nos escores de qualidade de vida, nem ansiedade. Mas indivíduos de famílias com maior posse de itens e bens tinham mais chances de apresentar sobrepeso/obesidade. O segundo estudo (Avaliação de parâmetros da função mastigatória em crianças com sobrepeso e obesas) teve como objetivos avaliar parâmetros da mastigação e a relação entre força de mordida (FM) e avaliação antropométrica, consistência alimentar, amamentação e oclusão e incluiu 204 crianças, sendo 122 indivíduos com eutrofia, 45 com sobrepeso e 37 obesos. A FM unilateral foi mensurada utilizando-se um gnatodinamômetro digital com uma forquilha de força de 10 mm. A avaliação antropométrica e nutricional envolveu as medidas de peso, estatura e massa de músculo esquelético corporal por meio de análise de impedância bioelétrica. A oclusão foi avaliada por meio do Índice de Necessidade de Tratamento Ortodôntico (IOTN) e a consistência alimentar foi verificada aplicando-se um questionário específico aos pais. Também foram investigados o tempo de amamentação natural e artificial e a presença de hábitos de sucção. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva, teste Qui-quadrado, análise de variância, testes de correlação e regressão logística múltipla para se determinar a relação entre FM e as variáveis independentes em estudo (?=0,05). Resultados e Conclusão: O tempo de amamentação natural e artificial e a consistência alimentar não diferiram entre crianças com eutrofia, sobrepeso e obesidade. Mas a FM mostrou relação positiva com a massa de músculo esquelético corporal e negativa com o índice de massa corporal e a necessidade de tratamento ortodônticoAbstract: The prevalence of obesity in children has increased worldwide, and due to the impact in the overall health of these individuals, there is a need to determine the factors associated with this condition. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct the evaluation of the quality of life, nutritional and masticatory characteristics of children from public schools of Piracicaba (SP), of both genders, aged 8-10 years and divided in: underweight, normal-weight, overweight and obesity, according to BMI-for-age and gender reference (5-19 years) World Health Organization .For this purpose, two studies were performed. The aim of the first study (Assessment of quality of life , socioeconomic factors and caries experience in children with overweight and obese Piracicaba (SP, Brazil) - cross-sectional study) was to evaluate the association between overweight and obesity with quality of life, anxiety, caries experience and socioeconomic factors in schoolchildren. Anthropometric evaluation consisted of the measurement of triceps and subscapular skinfolds and arm and abdominal circumferences. Quality of life and anxiety were assessed using two validated scales: AUQUEI (Autoquestionnaire Qualité de Vie Enfant Imagé) and Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC). Caries experience was evaluated by determining the DMFT and dmft indexes (total of decayed, missing and filled teeth) for permanent and primary teeth, respectively. The anamnestic and socioeconomic variables assessed were: prenatal and natal history, parental education, family income and possession of goods and services. The results were submitted to descriptive statistics, Chi- square and Kruskal-Wallis tests, psychometric properties of the scales and multiple logistic regression to determine the association of overweight/obesity with the studied variables (?=0.05). Results and Conclusion: The study included 313 children, being four with underweight, 188 with normal-weight, 67 overweight and 54 obese. It was observed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity in this population (38.7%), and children with different nutritional patterns did not differ in quality of life and anxiety scores. But children from families with higher possession of goods and services were more likely to present weight excess. The second study (Evaluation of parameters of masticatory function in children with overweight and obese) aimed to evaluate parameters of masticatory function and the relationship between bite force (BF) and anthropometric variables, food consistency, suckling and occlusion in 204 children, being 122 individuals with normal-weight, 45 with overweight and 37 obese. Unilateral BF was assessed using a digital gnathodynamometer with fork strength of 10 mm. Anthropometric and nutritional evaluation included measurements of weight, height and body skeletal muscle mass using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Occlusion was assessed using the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) and food consistency was checked by applying a specific questionnaire to their parents/guardians. It was also investigated the duration of breast- and bottle-feeding and the presence of parafunctional habits. The results were submitted to descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, analysis of variance, correlation tests and multiple logistic regression to determine the relationship between BF and the independent studied variables (?=0.05). Results and Conclusion: The duration of breast- and bottle-feeding and food consistency did not differ between children with normal-weight, overweight and obesity. But BF was positively related to skeletal muscle mass and negatively related with body mass index and orthodontic treatment needMestradoOdontopediatriaMestra em Odontologi

Evaluation Of Masticatory Parameters In Overweight And Obese Children

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Mastication is an essential function that prepares the food for swallowing and digestion and may be related to nutritional status. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate the masticatory parameters in overweight and obese children and the relation between bite force and anthropometric evaluation, food consistency, breast/bottle-feeding, and occlusion. The sample consisted of 204 children of both genders, age range 8-10 years, divided into normal weight, overweight, and obese. Unilateral bite force was measured using a digital gnatodynamometer with 10mm force fork. Anthropometric and nutritional evaluation involved the measurements of body mass index and skeletal muscle mass using bioelectric impedance analysis. Occlusion was evaluated as regards orthodontic treatment need and food consistency was analysed using a structured questionnaire. In addition, the time of breast- and bottle-feeding was investigated. The results were submitted to chi-square and correlation tests, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression to determine the relation between bite force and the independent variables under study (alpha = 0.05). Statistical analysis showed that the time of breast- and bottle-feeding and food consistency did not differ among groups. The regression model showed that body mass index, orthodontic treatment need, and body skeletal muscle mass contributed significantly to the variation in bite force. Breast- and bottle-feeding behaviour and food consistency did not differ in normal-weight, overweight, and obese children. However, bite force was dependent on body skeletal muscle mass, body mass index, and orthodontic treatment need.384393397State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation, Brazil [2011/15621-5, 2012/04492-2]Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Evaluation of masticatory parameters in overweight and obese children

Mastication is an essential function that prepares the food for swallowing and digestion and may be related to nutritional status. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate the masticatory parameters in overweight and obese children and the relation between bite force and anthropometric evaluation, food consistency, breast/bottle-feeding, and occlusion. The sample consisted of 204 children of both genders, age range 8-10 years, divided into normal weight, overweight, and obese. Unilateral bite force was measured using a digital gnatodynamometer with 10mm force fork. Anthropometric and nutritional evaluation involved the measurements of body mass index and skeletal muscle mass using bioelectric impedance analysis. Occlusion was evaluated as regards orthodontic treatment need and food consistency was analysed using a structured questionnaire. In addition, the time of breast- and bottle-feeding was investigated. The results were submitted to chi-square and correlation tests, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression to determine the relation between bite force and the independent variables under study (alpha = 0.05). Statistical analysis showed that the time of breast- and bottle-feeding and food consistency did not differ among groups. The regression model showed that body mass index, orthodontic treatment need, and body skeletal muscle mass contributed significantly to the variation in bite force. Breast- and bottle-feeding behaviour and food consistency did not differ in normal-weight, overweight, and obese children. However, bite force was dependent on body skeletal muscle mass, body mass index, and orthodontic treatment need384393397FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2011/15621-5; 2012/04492-

Evaluation Of Masticatory Parameters In Overweight And Obese Children.

Mastication is an essential function that prepares the food for swallowing and digestion and may be related to nutritional status. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate the masticatory parameters in overweight and obese children and the relation between bite force and anthropometric evaluation, food consistency, breast/bottle-feeding, and occlusion. The sample consisted of 204 children of both genders, age range 8-10 years, divided into normal weight, overweight, and obese. Unilateral bite force was measured using a digital gnatodynamometer with 10mm force fork. Anthropometric and nutritional evaluation involved the measurements of body mass index and skeletal muscle mass using bioelectric impedance analysis. Occlusion was evaluated as regards orthodontic treatment need and food consistency was analysed using a structured questionnaire. In addition, the time of breast- and bottle-feeding was investigated. The results were submitted to chi-square and correlation tests, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression to determine the relation between bite force and the independent variables under study (α = 0.05). Statistical analysis showed that the time of breast- and bottle-feeding and food consistency did not differ among groups. The regression model showed that body mass index, orthodontic treatment need, and body skeletal muscle mass contributed significantly to the variation in bite force. Breast- and bottle-feeding behaviour and food consistency did not differ in normal-weight, overweight, and obese children. However, bite force was dependent on body skeletal muscle mass, body mass index, and orthodontic treatment need

Lack of agreement between objective and subjective measures in the evaluation of masticatory function: A preliminary study

The evaluation of mastication is important to understand the masticatory behavior and diagnose feeding difficulties. The objective of this preliminary study was to verify if there is agreement between objective and subjective validated methods of chewing evaluation in a convenience sample which consisted of 32 adolescents (mean 15.5 years), complete permanent dentition and free of tooth decay. The Quality of Masticatory Function Questionnaire with the Food-Mastication, Habits, Meat, Fruit and Vegetables domains was used in the subjective evaluation. The objective aspects consisted of maximum bite force (BF) and masticatory performance (MP) by mastication of cubes of test-material and sieving to determine the median particle size (X-50) and distribution in the sieves ("b"), and by the colorimetric method using colorchangeable chewing gum. Data were submitted to exploratory analysis, normality test and correlation tests (Pearson/Spearman). The correlation between BF and X-50 (r = -0.43p = 0.02) and between BF and MP chewing gum. (r = 0.53p = 0.002) was significant with large effect size. The MP evaluated by chewing gum correlated with X-50 (r = 0.34p = 0.055), but not with "b" (r = -0.06p = 0.73), while "b" correlated only with X-50 (r = 0.52, p = 0.002). No significant correlation was observed between the objective measures and the total score of the subjective evaluationonly a negative correlation was observed between "b" and Meat domain (r = 0.40p = 0.023). The objective methods showed moderate correlation with each other and no agreement between the objective and subjective methods was observed in this sample of healthy adolescents, emphasizing the importance of both aspects in the evaluation of masticatory function.State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, SP, Brazil)Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Dept Pediat Dent, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, Sao Paulo, BrazilFed Univ Lavras UFLA, Dept Hlth Sci, Lavras, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Speech Therapy, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Pharmaceut Sci, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Speech Therapy, Sao Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2014/24804-4Web of Scienc

Assessment of the differences in masticatory behavior between male and female adolescents

Chewing behavior may show sex differencesthus, the present study aimed to compare the masticatory aspects and the prediction of masticatory performance between male and female adolescents. Ninety-one healthy subjects (47 girls, 44 boys), caries-free and aged 14-17 years, were included. Masticatory performance and maximal bite force were evaluated using a color-changeable chewing gum and digital gnathodynamometer, respectively. Masticatory behavior was assessed by the subjective aspect of the quality of the masticatory function (validated questionnaire) and the Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores expanded (OMES-e) was used to determine chewing time, frequency of chewing cycles and other aspects. Salivary flow rate was also assessed. The physical examination involved measurements of facial morphometry, body weight, height, skeletal muscle mass, and dental/occlusal evaluations. It was observed that boys showed larger facial dimensions, higher bite force and chewing frequency and better masticatory performance than girls. They also showed shorter chewing time, fewer chewing cycles and lower score for OMES-e (that is, more changes in orofacial myofunctional aspects). Bite force showed a weak correlation with skeletal muscle mass only in boys (r = 0.3035p = 0.0451). The masticatory performance was dependent on the bite force in boys (Adj R-2 = 19.2%Power = 84.1%)among girls, Masticatory performance was dependent on the frequency of chewing cycles and masticatory behavior (subjective aspect) (Adj R-2 = 34.1%Power = 96.1%). The findings support the existence of sex differences in many masticatory aspects of function and behavior, hence the importance of considering sex differences when evaluating masticatory function and myofunctional therapy outcomes among young subjects. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc All rights reserved.State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, SP, Brazil) [2014/24804-4]Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Dept Pediat Dent, Ave Limeira 901, BR-13414903 Piracicaba, SP, BrazilUniv Campinas UNICAMP, Piracicaba Dent Sch, Dept Morphol, Ave Limeira 901, BR-13414903 Piracicaba, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biol Sci, Campus Diadema,R Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biol Sci, Campus Diadema,R Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Diadema, SP, BrazilFAPESP:2014/24804-4Web of Scienc

Assessment of the differences in masticatory behavior between male and female adolescents

Chewing behavior may show sex differences; thus, the present study aimed to compare the masticatory aspects and the prediction of masticatory performance between male and female adolescents. Ninety-one healthy subjects (47 girls, 44 boys), caries-free and aged 14-17 years, were included. Masticatory performance and maximal bite force were evaluated using a color-changeable chewing gum and digital gnathodynamometer, respectively. Masticatory behavior was assessed by the subjective aspect of the quality of the masticatory function (validated questionnaire) and the Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores expanded (OMES-e) was used to determine chewing time, frequency of chewing cycles and other aspects. Salivary flow rate was also assessed. The physical examination involved measurements of facial morphometry, body weight, height, skeletal muscle mass, and dental/occlusal evaluations. It was observed that boys showed larger facial dimensions, higher bite force and chewing frequency and better masticatory performance than girls. They also showed shorter chewing time, fewer chewing cycles and lower score for OMES-e (that is, more changes in orofacial myofunctional aspects). Bite force showed a weak correlation with skeletal muscle mass only in boys (r = 0.3035; p = 0.0451). The masticatory performance was dependent on the bite force in boys (Adj R-2 = 19.2%; Power = 84.1%); among girls, Masticatory performance was dependent on the frequency of chewing cycles and masticatory behavior (subjective aspect) (Adj R-2 = 34.1%; Power = 96.1%). The findings support the existence of sex differences in many masticatory aspects of function and behavior, hence the importance of considering sex differences when evaluating masticatory function and myofunctional therapy outcomes among young subjects163115122FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2014/24804-