Longitudinal study of habits leading to malocclusion development in childhood

Abstract

BackgroundThe increased prevalence of malocclusions represents a secular trend attributed to the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The analysis of factors related to the causes of these changes is essential for planning public health policies aimed at preventing and clinically intercepting malocclusion. This study investigated the sucking habits, nocturnal mouth breathing, as well as the relation of these factors with malocclusion.MethodsThis is a longitudinal study in which 80 mother-child pairs were monitored from the beginning of pregnancy to the 30th month after childbirth. Home visits for interviews with the mothers were made on the 12th, 18th and 30th months of age. Finger sucking, pacifier sucking, bottle feeding, breastfeeding and nocturnal mouth breathing, were the variables studies. On the 30th month, clinical examinations were performed for overjet, overbite and posterior crossbite. A previously calibrated single examiner (Kappa coefficient = 0.92) was responsible for all examinations. Data were analyzed using the chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests, at a significance level of 5%.ResultsBottle feeding was the most prevalent habit at 12, 18 and 30 months (87.5%; 90% and 96.25%, respectively). Breastfeeding was 40%, 25% and 12.50% at 12, 18 and 30 months, respectively. Nearly 70% of the children in this study had some sort of malocclusion. Pacifier sucking habit at 12, 18 and 30 months of age was associated with overjet and open bite; and at 30 months, an association with overbite was also observed. Finger sucking habit and breastfeeding at 12, 18 and 30 months were also associated with overjet and open bite. The posterior crossbite was associated with bottle feeding at 12 and 30 months, and nocturnal mouth breathers at 12 and 18 months.ConclusionsSucking habits, low rates of breastfeeding, and nocturnal mouth breathing were risk factors for malocclusion.

Pacifiers, Thumb Sucking, Breastfeeding, and Bottle Use: Oral Sucking Habits of Children with and without Phonological Impairment

“…Compared with other types of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking, thumb/finger sucking was less common, at an overall rate of 15.1%, similar to that reported by Littlefield [35] of 17% for English children published 60 years ago, and Moimaz et al [36] of 15% for 12-month-old children in Brazil. Thumb/finger sucking has been associated with an increased risk of open bite and overjet [36], which has in turn been associated with speech errors, particularly on /s, t/ [37].…”

“…Thumb/finger sucking has been associated with an increased risk of open bite and overjet [36], which has in turn been associated with speech errors, particularly on /s, t/ [37]. It would therefore be valuable for future research to investigate the occlusion of children with PI and their production and error types for /s, t/ compared with children with other types of SSD, particularly articulation impairment characterised by distortion errors on /s/ such as an interdental lisp.…”

Association between duration of breastfeeding and malocclusions in primary and mixed dentition: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Exposure: breastfeeding for up to 6 months, Event: posterior crossbite, OR 7.304 (2.68–19.89) p = 0.001.4Moimaz et al . 28 (2014) Longitudinal cohort80 (40) -% M(-) -% F(-) 30 months Consecutive BrazilBreastfeeding is related to overjet (p = 0.0001) and openbite (p = 0.002)—6Galan-Gonzalez et al . 11 (2014) Cross-sectional298 (-) 45.3% M (135) 54.7% F (163) 3–6 years Representation of districts SpainBetter occlusion with breastfeeding than bottle feeding, more Class I canine, more diastemas and primate space, less crowding, less posterior crossbite, but not statistically significant (p > 0.005)—4Correa-Faria et al .…”

Malocclusion Diagnosis: Normative Criteria and Self-Perception of Adolescents

“…Longitudinal studies allow a better understanding between presence of malocclusion and triggering factors in order to plan actions that might as well treat and prevent the onset of the disease, since the determining factors of malocclusion are well known in literature [9].…”