ASSOCIATION OF UNILATERAL CHEWING HABIT WITH FORWARD HEAD POSTURE AND DIZZINESS IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING ELDERLY

Abstract

Introduction: The present study aimed to compare the prevalence of forward head posture and dizziness in elderly community dwellers stratified by chewing habit (unilateral vs. bilateral), as well as to examine the correlation of unilateral chewing with forward head posture and dizziness. Materials and Method: One-hundred one elderly persons were compared forward head angle, range of motion of the temporomandibular joint, mandibular deviation, and dizziness in unilateral chewing and bilateral chewing. Results: Unilateral chewing showed significantly more prevalent dizziness handicap (p<0.05), greater mandibular deviation (p<0.01), and smaller forward head angle (p<0.01) than bilateral chewing. Unilateral chewing was significantly correlated with age (r=0.246; p=0.13; effect size, 0.507), mandibular deviation (r=0.381; p<0.001; effect size, 0.824), FHA (r=0.360; p<0.001; effect size, 0.771), and dizziness handicap (r=0.309; p=0.002; effect size, 0.649). Risk factors for unilateral chewing included dizziness handicap (p=0.012; odds ratio, 1.053) and mandibular deviation (p=0.001; odds ratio, 1.451). Conclusion: The present findings that forward head posture, dizziness, and mandibular deviation are associated with unilateral chewing highlight the importance of good head posture and chewing habit with aging.