Abstract
The oral cavity plays a role as a feeding organ for food and water intake, an articulatory organ for speech, and a respiratory tract for emergency breathing. In addition, the morphology of the oral cavity, including the alignment of teeth and jaw shape, is an esthetic component of the face, and its problems are linked to functional problems such as mastication and speech, and the psychological impact of such disharmony is significant. Childhood is a period of dynamic change in oral morphology, as represented by the replacement of deciduous teeth with permanent teeth, and a period in which these functions are acquired in parallel. The development of morphology and function is always linked, and children's internal psychological factors also have a great impact on them. In particular, the psychological aspect of children is greatly influenced by their nurturing environment.
For the healthy development of the oral cavity, it is extremely important to achieve a good balance between morphology, function, and psychology, and we need to provide support from multiple perspectives, not just one. On the other hand, systemic factors also play a major role in the development of oral morphology and function.
This article is to summarize general oral development and the systemic factors that influence the development, and concludes with an overview of support for the development of oral function.
