Breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking patterns related to the prevalence of anterior open bite in primary dentition

Abstract

ObjectiveNutritional, immunological and psychological benefits of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life are unequivocally recognized. However, mothers should also be aware of the importance of breastfeeding for promoting adequate oral development. This study evaluated the association between breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking patterns and the prevalence of anterior open bite in primary dentition.Material and MethodsInfant feeding and non-nutritive sucking were investigated in a 3-6 year-old sample of 1,377 children, from São Paulo city, Brazil. Children were grouped according to breastfeeding duration: G1 – non-breastfed, G2 – shorter than 6 months, G3 – interruption between 6 and 12 months, and G4 – longer than 12 months. Three calibrated dentists performed clinical examinations and classified overbite into 3 categories: normal, anterior open bite and deep bite. Chi-square tests (p<0.05) with odds ratio (OR) calculation were used for intergroup comparisons. The impact of breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking on the prevalence of anterior open bite was analyzed using binary logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence estimates of anterior open bite were: 31.9% (G1), 26.1% (G2), 22.1% (G3), and 6.2% (G4). G1 would have significantly more chances of having anterior open bite compared with G4; in the total sample (OR=7.1) and in the subgroup without history of non-nutritive sucking (OR=9.3). Prolonging breastfeeding for 12 months was associated with a 3.7 times lower chance of having anterior open bite. In each year of persistence with non-nutritive sucking habits, the chance of developing this malocclusion increased in 2.38 times.ConclusionBreastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking durations demonstrated opposite effects on the prediction of anterior open bite. Non-breastfed children presented significantly greater chances of having anterior open bite compared with those who were breastfed for periods longer than 12 months, demonstrating the beneficial influence of breastfeeding on dental occlusion.

Genetic Polymorphism in MMP9 May Be Associated With Anterior Open Bite in Children

“…Although the present study did not observe an association between breast feeding and AOB, a previous study demonstrated that extending breastfeeding for 12 months was associated with a 3.7 times lower chance of having anterior open bite (30). It is possible that this result did not present a statistical significance due to the fact that 88% of the sample had extended breastfeeding.…”

Fatores associados ao uso de chupeta por lactentes nascidos pré-termo

“…These results have contributed for a discussion about pacifier use as a consequence of difficulties found by mother and infant to maintain breastfeeding as a source of satisfaction of non-nutritive sucking, which was also presented by Silva e Guedes 22 . The inverse relationship between longer breastfeeding time and lower frequency of non-nutritive sucking habits was also shown 6,15 , whereas Carrascoza et al 16 associated the lower frequency of pacifier use with the presence of exclusive breastfeeding at the end of the first month of life, at the moment of hospital discharge and at the age of six months old.…”

“…The lower the breastfeeding time, the higher the possibility of introducing sucking habits 6,15,16 . Studies on the acquisition and extension of pacifier sucking habits in preterm infants are scarce in the relevant literature, showing frequency of 45.7% in the first six months of life 17 and significant association to premature birth 18 .…”

Impacto de la lactancia no materna en el infante

“…Varios estudios han reportado la asociación existente entre los hábitos alimenticios, lactancia materna y no materna, y el desarrollo de maloclusiones en dentición decidua (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35). Tanto a la lactancia materna como a la no materna se les han asociado con una mayor probabilidad de desarrollo de mordida cruzada (36,37).…”