title: Nonnutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite in Brazilian children: a longitudinal study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this longitudinal study was to assess the relationship between nonnutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite in 305 4- to 5-year-old children attending state schools in the city of Recife, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were collected by interviewing the children's mothers or guardians and through clinical examinations carried out by 1 calibrated examiner (K = 1). Bivariate analyses (Pearson chi-square, McNemar, and Stuart-Maxwell tests) were used for the statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of sucking habits was low, and the sample showed reductions after 1 year of follow-up. The prevalence of anterior open bite decreased from 33% to 29% after 1 year. A significant association was found between anterior open bite and sucking habits. Open bite self-correction was associated with the abandoning of deleterious habits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The low prevalence of nonnutritive sucking habits and its reduction during the period studied seem to reflect a natural tendency in preschool children. Even presenting a slight reduction, the high prevalence of anterior open bite draws attention to the importance of longitudinal studies to support scientific evidences for early clinical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department Preventive and Social Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Pernambuco State University, Recife, Brazil. cintiakatz@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Cintia Regina Tornisiello
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Aronita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenblatt
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D024343:Open Bite / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D013391:Sucking Behavior