A recent study from Malmö University in Sweden suggests that adolescents born prematurely may be at higher risk for jaw pain, dental anxiety, and the need for orthodontic treatment compared to their full-term peers.
The researchers analyzed data from the Express trial, a nationwide Swedish study of extreme prematurity that included 350 participants aged 13 to 18.
The results showed that one-quarter of adolescents born prematurely experienced jaw pain at least once a week, compared to one-eighth of full-term adolescents.
The study also showed that premature boys were more likely to receive or require orthodontic treatment, while no significant difference was found between premature and full-term girls. This may be related to slightly delayed jaw and bite development in premature infants.
Furthermore, adolescents born prematurely were less likely to brush their teeth at night and more likely to experience dental anxiety, although the reasons for these differences are unclear.
“Clinicians and parents should closely monitor the oral health of these children,” said Liselotte Paulson of Malmö University. “One practical measure would be for dental professionals to routinely ask children if they were born prematurely.”
Associate Professor Susanne Brogårdh-Roth added: “Our goal is to better understand the needs of this group so they can maintain good oral health later in life.”
