Breastfeeding and occlusal development.
1Consultant Orthodontist, Dr Gray's Hospital, Elgin, Scotland.
Evidence-Based Dentistry
|March 24, 2018
Summary
Breastfeeding protects against posterior crossbites and Class 2 malocclusion in children. Longer breastfeeding duration enhances this protective effect, though benefits for open bite and non-spaced dentition are unclear.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health
- Oral Health Research
Background:
- Malocclusion is a common dental issue in children.
- Breastfeeding is recognized for its numerous health benefits.
- The relationship between breastfeeding and specific malocclusion traits requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the association between breastfeeding and malocclusion in children.
- To evaluate the impact of breastfeeding duration on various malocclusion traits.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and the New York Academy of Medicine Grey Literature Report.
- Prospective and retrospective studies assessing malocclusion in exclusively or mixed-breastfed children were included.
- Data extraction focused on dentition type, malocclusion traits (Class 2 molar, open-bite, non-spaced dentition, posterior crossbite), breastfeeding methods, and odds ratios (ORs).
Main Results:
- Thirty-one studies contributed to a qualitative synthesis, with nine included in quantitative analysis.
- Children not breastfed had 1.7 times more posterior crossbite than those breastfed for 1-6 months (OR = 1.70).
- Breastfeeding up to six months was associated with increased Class 2 molar (1.25 times) and non-spaced dentition (1.73 times) risks compared to longer breastfeeding durations.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding acts as a protective factor against posterior crossbites and Class 2 malocclusion in primary and mixed dentitions.
- The protective effect of breastfeeding against these malocclusions increases with duration.
- Evidence does not clearly support breastfeeding benefits for preventing open bite and non-spaced dentitions.
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