title: Exploring the association between feeding habits, non-nutritive sucking habits, and malocclusions in the deciduous dentition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to explore the association between feeding habits, non-nutritive sucking habits, and malocclusions in deciduous dentition.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional observational survey was carried out in 275 children aged 3 to 6 years and included clinical evaluations of malocclusions and structured interviews. Statistical significance for the association between feeding habits and the development of malocclusion was determined using chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. In addition, odds ratio (OR) calculations were used for intergroup comparisons. Controlling for confounders was adjusted by excluding children with non-nutritive sucking habits.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results indicated that there were no significant relationships between exclusive breastfeeding or bottlefeeding and the presence of any type of malocclusion (p > 0.05). There was also no significant association between breastfeeding or bottlefeeding duration and malocclusion (p > 0.05). In addition, it was observed that exclusive breastfeeding had a protective effect and diminished the risk of acquiring non-nutritive sucking habits (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no association between feeding habits and malocclusions in the deciduous dentition in this sample of children. Exclusive breastfeeding reduced the risk of acquiring non-nutritive sucking habits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Barcelona Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain. gabimlopes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Gabriela Mesquita
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Lopes-Freire
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Service, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Abel Belizario Cahuana
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Cárdenas
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Barcelona Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: José Enrique Espasa
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Suarez de Deza
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Oral Health and Masticatory System Group (Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute) IDIBELL, Faculty of Dentistry, L'Hospitalet, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ustrell-Torrent
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Butini
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Barcelona Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Joan Ramon
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Boj Quesada
mesh_terms: D001903:Bottle Feeding; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005248:Feeding Methods; D005260:Female; D005386:Fingersucking; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I / Q000175:diagnosis; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000175:diagnosis; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000175:diagnosis; D024343:Open Bite / Q000175:diagnosis; D057887:Overbite / Q000175:diagnosis; D041361:Pacifiers; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
keywords: Bottlefeeding; Breastfeeding; Malocclusion