The association between nutritive, non-nutritive sucking habits and primary dental occlusion

Abstract

BackgroundThe development of primary dentition can be affected by oral sucking habits. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association of nutritive and non-nutritive sucking habits with primary dentition development.MethodsOne thousand one hundred and fourteen children aged 2 to 5 years old in Hong Kong were recruited in a cross-sectional study. Information on their nutritive (e.g. breastfeeding and bottle feeding) and non-nutritive sucking habits (e.g. pacifier use and thumb/digit sucking) was collected via questionnaires. The children’s primary occlusions were examined in three dimensions.ResultsChildren who were breastfed for more than 6 months had a lower proportion of daily pacifier use (p < 0.05). Children who used pacifiers daily had a higher proportion of thumb/digit sucking (p < 0.05). Children who used pacifiers daily for more than one year had higher chances of developing an anterior open bite (p < 0.05) and a reduced overbite (p < 0.05). Those exhibiting daily thumb/digit sucking for more than one year had higher chances of developing Class II incisor and Class II canine relationships, an increased overjet and anterior open bite (p < 0.05).ConclusionPure breastfeeding for more than 6 months is inversely associated with daily pacifier use and daily pacifier use is positively associated with daily thumb/digit sucking. Children with more than one year of daily pacifier use and thumb/digit sucking have higher chances of developing abnormal dental relationships in the sagittal (i.e. Class II incisor and Class II canine relationships and increased overjet) and vertical (i.e. anterior open bite) dimensions, respectively.

Influence of non-nutritive sucking habits on anterior open bite

“…Continuing this comparison, there was a significant difference between G1 and G2 in both schools regarding deleterious oral habits, suggesting their importance in the installation of the malocclusion (Table 3), as observed by other authors 5,7,17,[19][20][21] by stating that the frequency, duration and intensity of non-nutritive sucking habits are determining factors for the installation of it.…”

“…The questionnaire used in this research was previously tested and applied by Ling et al 7 to carry out an integrative review of the literature on the clinical behavior of sucking habits in children between 2 to 6 years.…”

“…However, this habit can become deleterious if sustained for a prolonged period, which may alter the normal growth pattern and damage the occlusion. Damage will be determined by the frequency, duration, intensity and the object used, as well as the age of the individual at the time of its installation 6,7 .…”

Oral habits in Children with Cleft (Lip and) Palate: A Pilot Study

“…The specific effect depends on the nature, onset, and duration of these habits (e.g., persistent non-nutritive sucking may result in unbalanced muscle function, hence affecting the stomatognathic system) [5]. Ling et al [6] showed that children with more than 1 year of daily pacifier use and/or thumb/digit sucking had higher risks of developing abnormal dental relationships (e.g., anterior open bite or increased overjet). A recent systematic review on pacifier sucking concluded that there is evidence that the use of a pacifier is associated with anterior open bite and posterior cross-bite, thus affecting the harmonious development of orofacial structures [7].…”

Prevalencia de hábitos de succión no nutritiva y su relación con maloclusión y anomalías dentomaxilares en preescolares de Cnel. Oviedo, Paraguay

“…Existe un consenso en la literatura, que los hábitos de succión no nutritivos aumentan los factores de riesgo para maloclusiones esqueléticas, particularmente en la mordida abierta anterior (8)(9)(10)(11) . La causa presumible de mordida abierta anterior en niños con hábitos de succión es la inhibición del crecimiento vertical en la parte anterior del proceso alveolar, pero si el hábito cesa durante la fase de crecimiento, la posibilidad de corrección espontánea podría ser muy satisfactoria (12,13) .…”