Effects of feeding on non-nutritive sucking habits and implications on occlusion in mixed dentition. , ISSN: 0960-7439, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2010.01092.x

abstract BACKGROUND: Several studies have determined the effects of non-nutritive sucking habits on malocclusion, but conflicting results. AIM: To analyze 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. DESIGN: Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire and confirmed by personal interview. The parents of 1451 children (aged 7-11) were asked about feeding their infants children and non-nutritive sucking habits. a clinical evaluation of dental arches including classification of molar ratio (Angle classification), presence or absence of cross and open bite. RESULTS: Children with the bottle or supplementary feeding showed a higher risk of non-nutritive sucking habits after the first year of life (P <0.01). No nutritional suction habits are associated with an increased risk of bite crossover, open bite, Class II molar ratio (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Parents should be educated about the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months of life in mixed dentition. The non-nutritive sucking activity must be diagnosed in a timely manner, in order to reduce the development of posterior cross bite, anterior open bite, and class II molar ratio. © 2010 Gli Autori. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry © 2010 BSPD, IAPD e Blackwell Publishing Ltd.