title: Pacifier-sucking habit duration and frequency on occlusal and myofunctional alterations in preschool children.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of pacifier-sucking habit with occlusal and oral myofunctional alterations in preschool children. Eighty-four 2- to 5-year-old children participated in the study. Data on duration and frequency of pacifier use were collected from parents or guardians. Occlusal and oral myofunctional characteristics were examined by a dentist and a speech therapist, respectively. Chi-square tests and Poisson regression were used to analyze the data. The occlusal characteristics that were significantly associated with a pacifier-sucking habit were anterior open bite, altered canine relation, posterior crossbite, increased overjet, and malocclusion. The oral myofunctional characteristics that were significantly associated with a pacifier-sucking habit were resting lip position, resting tongue position, shape of the hard palate, and swallowing pattern. The strongest associations were for anterior open bite (prevalence ratio [PR] = 11.33), malocclusion ( PR = 2 .33), altered shape of the hard palate ( PR = 1.29), and altered swallowing pattern (PR = 1.27). Both duration and frequency of pacifier-sucking habit were associated with occlusal and oral myofunctional alterations. These results emphasize the need for pediatric dentists to advise parents and caregivers about the risks of prolonged pacifier use and refer children to professionals for multidisciplinary assistance to minimize these risks whenever necessary.
authors.forename: Valdeane Simone Cenci
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Nihi
authors.forename: Sandra Mara
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.forename: Marta Essuane
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Jarrus
authors.forename: Fábio Mitugui
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Nihi
authors.forename: Carlos Luiz Fernando de
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Salles
authors.forename: Renata Corrêa
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Pascotto
authors.forename: Mitsue
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujimaki
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008046:Lip / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D024343:Open Bite / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D041361:Pacifiers / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012307:Risk Factors; D009057:Stomatognathic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013391:Sucking Behavior; D013997:Time Factors