Age and sex differences in oral functions from junior high school to young adulthood: A cross-sectional study

As oral function requires maintenance throughout life, it needs to be understood across age groups; however, few studies have investigated this in young individuals.

To clarify age and sex differences in maximum occlusal force, maximum tongue pressure and tongue-lip motor function; and the relationship among these oral functions in junior high school students and young adults.

This cross-sectional study investigated oral functions in students aged 12-13 years, 14-15 years old and 16-17 years old (S1, S2 and S3), and young adults aged 20-40 years (YA). We analysed age group differences in each sex and sex differences in each age group. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed for each sex using the maximum occlusal force as the dependent variable to investigate the associations among different oral functions.

In 522 children and 100 young adults, there were significant increases in oral functions with age in males and a significant decrease in maximum tongue pressure between S2 and S3 in females. Maximum occlusal force and tongue pressure were higher in males than in females in S3 and YA; tongue-lip motor function was higher in females than in males in S1. In multiple linear regression analysis, tongue-lip motor function and age group were significant factors in both sexes and in males, respectively.

Maximum occlusal force, maximum tongue pressure and tongue-lip motor function increased with increasing age groups in males. Our findings provide a basis for assessing oral function across age groups.