Unilateral Chewing Frequency and Self-Reported Mastication Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Area of Science:

• Oral health research
• Behavioral science

Background:

• Unilateral chewing is a common habit.
• Mastication satisfaction is an important aspect of oral health-related quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between unilateral chewing frequency and self-reported mastication satisfaction.
• To explore the influence of demographic and psychological factors on this relationship.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 1425 adult patients.
• Statistical analyses included Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression.
• Variables assessed: unilateral chewing frequency, mastication satisfaction, sex, depression, and somatization scores.

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between frequent unilateral chewing and lower mastication satisfaction (p < 0.001).
• Participants who always chewed unilaterally had the lowest odds of satisfaction (OR=0.17).
• Female sex and higher somatization scores were also associated with reduced satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• Frequent unilateral chewing is associated with diminished mastication satisfaction.
• Self-regulation strategies may be beneficial for managing chewing patterns and enhancing masticatory function.