Breastfeeding, deleterious oral habits and malocclusion in 5-year-old children in São Pedro, SP, Brazil

Isaura Maria Ferraz ROCHELLE, Elaine Pereira da Silva TAGLIAFERRO, Antonio Carlos PEREIRA, Marcelo de Castro MENEGHIM, Krunislave Antonio NÓBILO, Gláucia Maria Bovi AMBROSANO

Objective: To estimate the frequency of malocclusion and their associations with the type and period of breastfeeding, deleterious oral habits, and information received by mothers during the pre-natal period, in 5-year-old children attending municipal daycare centers. Methods: The sample consisted of 162 children resident in the municipality of São Pedro, SP, Brazil. In an interview with each of the mothers, information was collected about the time and form of breastfeeding, presence of deleterious habits, and information the mother received during the pre-natal period. The epidemiological exam was performed at the daycare center facilities by a single, previously calibrated examiner, under direct lighting. The following variables were evaluated: presence and severity of malocclusion [slight overcrowding and spacing (OS)], open occlusal relationship (open bite) (OPB), vertical overlap (over bite) (OVB), uni- or bilateral crossbite (CB), positive overjet (OV) and the primary second molar terminal plane relationship (TPR)]. Data analysis consisted of univariate analysis (chi-square test) and multiple logistic regressions. Results: The prevalence of malocclusions was 95.7% (OS = 22.8%; OPB = 24.7%; OVB = 20.4%; CB = 14.8%; and OV = 13.0%). In TPR the straight terminal plane was predominant (85.0%). Among the deleterious oral habits, the use of a pacifier was the only risk indicator (OR = 5.25; p = 0.001) for open occlusal relationship (open bite) in children that used it for over three years, detected in the logistic regressions. Conclusion: The prevalence of malocclusions and deleterious oral habits in the studied sample was high. Children that used a pacifier for over three years showed greater probability of presenting with open occlusal relationship (open bite).

Keywords: Breastfeeding. Malocclusion. Children.

Thursday, April 18, 2024 20:49