Masticatory evaluation, salivary, nutritional, anthropometry and halitosis in young adults

Abstract

This study will determine whether there is an association between chewing function, flow, pH, and salivary composition, nutrition, anthropometry, and halitosis in 200 young adults aged 17 to 30 years, of both genders. For chewing, the following variables are evaluated: (1) masticatory performance to be determined by individual capacity of fragmented material test chewable Optocal plus and sieving technique, (2) self perception of chewing ability, on the individual's capacity to grind foods, which will be quantified using a visual analog scale (VAS), which has a range of numbers 0 to 10 (3) taste and characteristics of the power of consistency, which will be checked through a specific instrument. Salivary flow is determined by collecting saliva with mechanical stimulation (chewing Parafilm ®) and without stimulation. There will also be analyzed for pH and concentrations of total protein, calcium, phosphate, urea and lipids. These variables of the masticatory system are associated with anthropometric (body mass index, triceps skinfold, arm circumference and waist circumference), nutritional status, as measured by FFQ (Food Frequency Questionnaire) and the calculation of estimated food intake by software. Halitosis is measured using the apparatus Halimeter. The description and the relationship between the variables under study will be evaluated using descriptive statistics, normality test Komolgorov-Smirnov test and correlation tests (Pearson or Spearman) and mean tests ("t" Student test / Mann-Whitney). Multiple linear regression models with stepwise backward elimination examine the relationship between halitosis, anthropometric measurements (dependent variables) and flow, salivary composition and pH, masticatory performance and food intake, controlling for gender and age (±=0,05 ). (AU)