The Impact of Breastfeeding Duration on the Development of Normal Occlusal Features of the Primary Dentition among Baghdad Preschool Children

Abstract

Background: Normal occlusal features of primary dentition are crucial for normal development of the permanent dentition. Breastfeeding is an important factor for both general and dental health of children. Aim: The aim of the present study is to assess the impact of the breastfeeding duration on the prevalence of normal occlusal features of the primary dentition among preschool children in Baghdad. Materials and Methods: The sample was 630 Iraqi children (270- boys, 360 girls), aged 3-5 years selected from four kindergartens in Baghdad city. The study was carried out through questionnaire and clinical examination. Normal occlusal features were examined as the presence or absence of interincisive spaces (IS) and primate spaces (PS), terminal relationship of the primary second molar that classified as: Flush terminal (FT), mesial step (MS) and distal step (DS). The presence or absence of ideal incisor overbite was also recorded. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS (version 21). Chi square and z test were used in data analysis. Result:s A significant relation was present between the duration of breastfeeding and the presence of: primate and interincisive spaces, flush terminal plane, mesial terminal plane and ideal incisor overbite. Conclusion Breastfeeding duration has a positive impact on the development of normal occlusal features of the primary dentition. Efforts should be taken to enhance the knowledge of the community, especially the mothers, about this impact to encourage them to practice exclusive breastfeeding for more than 12 months.

Effect of feeding pattern on the stage of primary dentition eruption in relation to growth parameters

“…However, Holman and Yamaguchi (16) and Aziz (18) reported contradicting results in Kerbala. Viggiano et al (21) found that breastfeeding is the ideal Although breastfeeding is imperative for the good development of the entire craniofacial complex (5) , the eruption process depends on many other factors, such as breast milk composition, which was found to be positively related to maternal BMI and adiposity (22) .…”

“…Nursing is the best orthopedic intervention to achieve a mature individual's harmonic growth, which is essential for the proper growth of the complete craniofacial complex throughout the most critical period of an infant's life (5) . The primary tooth begins to erupt into the oral cavity after the sixth month of life through a complex and highly controlled process (6) .…”

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

“…The normal occlusion of deciduous teeth is characterized by the following clinical features [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37]:…”

“…-Overbite, which is the vertical overlap or the amount of space in millimeters that the upper central incisor covers the lower central incisor. A normal overbite is generally considered to be in the range of 2-3 mm [30][31][32][33][34][35][36]. -Overjet, which is the space in millimeters between the buccal face of the lower central incisor and the palatal face of the upper central incisor.…”