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Association of breastfeeding, pacifier use, breathing pattern and malocclusions in preschoolers

Sebastião Batista Bueno1, Telmo Oliveira Bittar, Fabiana de Lima Vazquez

  • 1State University of Southwest Bahia.

Dental Press Journal of Orthodontics
|July 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Pacifier use significantly increases the risk of developing occlusal disorders like open bite and crossbite in young children. Early intervention and awareness are crucial for preventing these dental issues.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Orthodontics
  • Child Health

Background:

  • Non-nutritive sucking habits, such as pacifier use, are common in early childhood.
  • The potential impact of these habits on dental and occlusal development requires thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the relationship between breastfeeding duration, pacifier usage, and nasal airflow with the prevalence of occlusal disorders in preschool children.
  • To identify key risk factors for malocclusion in young children.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional observational study involving 138 children aged 4-5 years.
  • Mothers completed questionnaires on breastfeeding duration and non-nutritive sucking habits (pacifier, bottle, finger).
  • Statistical analysis included logistic regression to determine associations between sucking habits, breastfeeding, nasal airflow, and occlusal outcomes (open bite, crossbite, overjet, etc.).

Main Results:

  • Pacifier use emerged as the most detrimental factor, significantly increasing the likelihood of open bite (33.3 times), marked overjet (2.77 times), and posterior crossbite (5.26 times).
  • A significant association was found between non-nutritive sucking habits, particularly pacifier use, and the development of various occlusal disorders.

Conclusions:

  • Non-nutritive sucking, especially prolonged pacifier use, is strongly linked to occlusal disorders in children.
  • These findings underscore the importance of considering sucking habits in the prevention and treatment strategies for malocclusions in preschoolers.
Abstract

Keywords:
BreastfeedingMalocclusionPrimary dentition

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