Effects of feeding on non-nutritive sucking habits and implications on occlusion in mixed dentition.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have determined the effects of non-nutritive sucking habits on malocclusions, but provided conflicting results.


OBJECTIVE
To analyse the influence of infant feeding In the presence of non-nutritive sucking habits in children after the first year of life and to assess the effects of non-nutritive sucking habits on occlusion in mixed dentition.


METHODS
Data were collected by self-reported questionnaire and confirmed by personal interview. Parents of 1451 children (aged 7-11) were asked about their children's infant feeding and non-nutritive sucking habits. A clinical evaluation of dental arches included classification of molar relationship (Angle classification), presence or absence of crossbite and open bite.


RESULTS
Children with bottle or complementary feeding showed a higher risk of acquiring non-nutritive sucking habits after the first year of life (P < 0.01). Non-nutritive sucking habits are associated with a greater risk of crossbite, open bite, Class II molar relationship (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Parents should be educated about benefits of the exclusive breast feeding in the first 6 months of age on mixed dentition. The activity of non-nutritive sucking should be diagnosed in a timely manner in order to reduce the development of posterior crossbite, anterior open bite, and Class II molar relationship.
Montaldo
Luisa
L
Department of Dentistry, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. lmontaldo@libero.it
Montaldo
Paolo
P
Cuccaro
Pasquale
P
Caramico
Nevio
N
Minervini
Gennaro
G
D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D005248:Feeding Methods; D005260:Female; D005386:Fingersucking; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000145:classification; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000209:etiology; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D024343:Open Bite / Q000209:etiology; D041361:Pacifiers; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*