Nonnutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite in Brazilian children: a longitudinal study.
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.
Katz
Cintia Regina Tornisiello
CR
Department Preventive and Social Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Pernambuco State University, Recife, Brazil. cintiakatz@uol.com.br
Rosenblatt
Aronita
A
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