Association between Breastfeeding and Deleterious Oral Habits with Development of Malocclusions in Pediatric Dental Patients

Abstract

Purpose: This article evaluates the interrelationship between the feeding time, presence of deleterious oral habits and the development of malocclusion. Materials and methods: For this purpose, a document focused on the quantitative aspects and was prepared using forms filled out according to the information available in the medical records of 93 children of both genders, aged between 4 and 12 years old, who were treated at the Dental Clinic of UESB (University of the Southwest State of Bahia), Jequié Campus, in the period from 2006 to 2009. The Chi-square statistical test was applied. Results: We observed a higher frequency of children who were naturally breast-fed for a period longer than 6 months (47%). There was a significant relationship between the shorter duration of breastfeeding leading to deleterious oral habits, and consequently to the development of malocclusion (p < 0.001). The existence of one or more deleterious oral habits also favored the development of malocclusion, even in the group that was breast-fed for longer than 6 months (p < 0.001). The habit that appeared most frequently was onychophagy (nail biting; 26%) followed by lingual interposition (17%) and pacifier sucking (14%). The highest prevalence of crowding was found among children with malocclusion (33%). Conclusion: Mothers should be encouraged to extend the time of breastfeeding and motivate children not to develop deleterious oral habits, as these are crucial factors in diminishing the development of malocclusion.