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Dummy- and finger-sucking habits in young Swedish and Norwegian children
E Larsson1, B Ogaard, R Lindsten
1Department of Orthodontics, University of Lund, Sweden.
Insights
Swedish children exhibit higher rates of dummy-sucking habits compared to Norwegian children. Finger-sucking prevalence was 10-19% across groups, with few children ceasing the habit by age three.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Dummy- and finger-sucking are common oral habits in early childhood.
- Understanding the prevalence and duration of these habits is crucial for developmental assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the prevalence and patterns of dummy- and finger-sucking habits in 3-year-old children across different regions of Sweden and Norway.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 245 children in Norway and 171 children in Sweden.
- Data collection focused on registered dummy- and finger-sucking behaviors at 3 years of age.
Main Results:
- Swedish children showed a greater tendency to develop and continue dummy-sucking habits.
- Approximately 10-19% of children engaged in finger-sucking, with minimal cessation by age three.
- Children of Lappish origin in northern Norway had the highest rate of non-sucking.
Conclusions:
- Regional and potentially ethnic differences influence the prevalence and persistence of dummy- and finger-sucking habits in young children.
- Early childhood oral habits require further investigation regarding their long-term implications and influencing factors.
Abstract:
The prevalence of dummy- and finger-sucking habits in 3-yr-old children was registered in four different areas of Sweden and Norway. In Norway 245 children were examined and in Sweden 171 children. The Swedish children were more prone to develop a dummy-sucking habit as well as to prolong it. About 10-19% of the children in the different groups become finger-suckers. Very few of these finger-suckers had stopped sucking at 3 yr of age. The highest rate of non-suckers was found among the children from Karasjok/Kautokeino in northern Norway, who were mainly of Lappish origin.