Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the potential correlation between problematic media use (PMU) and poor oral health, increased parafunctional habits, and poor nutritional status in preschool children. METHODS: Participants were healthy preschool children aged 3 to 5 who presented to a pediatric dentistry clinic. Clinical examinations were performed to evaluate children's caries experience and oral hygiene. The weight and height of each child were recorded. Structured questionnaires were administered to obtain children's demographic information, oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, oral parafunctional habits, and their daily use of screen-based media devices. Problematic media use was assessed using the Arabic version of the Problematic Media Use Measure-Short Form (PMUM-SF). RESULTS: A total of 388 children completed the study. The majority (69%) were categorized as underweight, with a mean body mass index of 13.3. Children with moderate to high PMU exhibited significantly more bruxism and nail biting than those with low PMU (p < 0.05). The prevalence of dental caries was extremely high (99.2%), with no significant difference across PMU groups. Poor oral hygiene was more evident in children with high PMU (38.3%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Problematic media use (PMU) in preschool children was associated with some parafunctional oral habits and a trend toward poorer oral hygiene. No significant impact of PMU on children's nutritional status was determined. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: No applicable.