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.
Highlights
In addition to the well-recognized nutritional, immunological and psychological benefits, breastfeeding promotes adequate development of the oral myofunctional structures3,6,8,10,11,13,14,19,21,24
After clinical examinations and based on the inclusion criteria, children were assigned to 4 groups according to breastfeeding duration in months9,23,24: G1 – non-breastfed; G2 – breastfeeding for a period shorter than 6 months of age; G3 – breastfeeding discontinued between 6 and 12 months of age; and G4 – breastfeeding for a period longer than 12 months of age
The prevalence of anterior open bite in the total sample was of 22.4% (Table 1)
Summary
In addition to the well-recognized nutritional, immunological and psychological benefits, breastfeeding promotes adequate development of the oral myofunctional structures. M o r e ove r, theassociationbetweenshort breastfeeding duration and increased prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits has already been demonstrated. Several authors have reported the close relationship between persistent non-nutritive sucking habits and the development of malocclusions. Shorter breastfeeding practices play an indirect role in the etiology of malocclusions, the extent to which breastfeeding duration. Periods and the development of malocclusions in primary dentition are associated still remains a matter of concern. Warren and Bishara (2002) IRXQG QR VWDWLVWLFDOO\ VLJQL¿FDQW GLIIHUHQFHV LQ WKH comparisons of mean dental arch measurements and occlusal traits of non-breastfed children and those who were breastfed over three periods: shorter than 6 months, from 6 to 12 months, and longer than 12 months. In two Brazilian studies, posterior crossbite and anterior open bite were associated with breastfeeding for less than 9 months
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