Relationship between Nutrition and Development of the Jaws in Children: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Craniofacial growth and development have been shown to be influenced by various environmental factors that impact child development. This study aims to analyze the different patterns of feeding during early childhood, starting from birth, and assess the variability of nutrition during the first stage of childhood, along with the habits developed, to study their impact on jaw development. The study was conducted on a sample of twenty-five patients aged 3 to 5, following approval from the ethics committee of the Catholic University of Valencia. Informed consent was obtained from the fathers, mothers, and/or legal guardians, who were administered surveys on habits and diet. Cephalometric measurements within the parameters of ideal occlusion were subsequently taken. While previous studies examined this subject, the findings are challenging to evaluate. However, this study identified significant associations (p = 0.001) between clinical measurements and children’s eating habits. The growth and development of the craniofacial cavity are influenced by multiple factors, including a child’s diet and habits. Nonetheless, further research is required to determine whether diet can be considered a determining factor in proper jaw growth.

Three-Dimensional Printed Lingual Arch Space Maintainer: A Game Changer in Pediatric Dentistry

“…The emphasis on the primary dentition's role as the best space maintainer for permanent teeth is appropriate. Space maintainers are the recommended orthodontic appliance for the prevention of space loss because they retain space within the oral cavity [ 2 ]. It is best to use a space maintainer as soon as possible after early tooth loss because the greatest space loss is seen within a month of losing the deciduous teeth [ 3 ].…”