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Nonnutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite in Brazilian children: a longitudinal study

Cintia Regina Tornisiello Katz1, Aronita Rosenblatt

  • 1Department Preventive and Social Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Pernambuco State University, Recife, Brazil. cintiakatz@uol.com.br

Pediatric Dentistry
|January 27, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Nonnutritive sucking habits in young children were linked to anterior open bite, but the bite often corrected itself when habits ceased. Early intervention may be important despite natural habit reduction.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Public Health
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Nonnutritive sucking habits (NNSH) are common in preschool children.
  • Anterior open bite (AOB) is a malocclusion that can be influenced by oral habits.
  • Understanding the relationship between NNSH and AOB is crucial for early intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal association between nonnutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite in preschool children.
  • To evaluate changes in the prevalence of NNSH and AOB over a one-year period.
  • To determine if cessation of sucking habits influences the self-correction of anterior open bite.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study of 305 children aged 4-5 years in Recife, Brazil.
  • Data collected via maternal interviews and clinical examinations by a calibrated examiner.
  • Statistical analysis included bivariate tests (Pearson chi-square, McNemar, Stuart-Maxwell).

Main Results:

  • Prevalence of nonnutritive sucking habits was low and decreased over the one-year follow-up.
  • Anterior open bite prevalence decreased from 33% to 29% after one year.
  • A significant association was found between anterior open bite and sucking habits; habit cessation correlated with open bite self-correction.

Conclusions:

  • The natural reduction in nonnutritive sucking habits suggests a developmental tendency in preschoolers.
  • Despite a slight decrease, the high prevalence of anterior open bite highlights the need for evidence-based early clinical interventions.
  • Longitudinal data supports the importance of monitoring and addressing oral habits for preventing persistent malocclusions.
Abstract

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