OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between breastfeeding with non-nutritive sucking habits and malocclusion. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The current cross-sectional and retrospective study was performed based on interviews of 330 mothers of children aging from 3 to 6 years old at Araçatuba-SP, after informed consent, using a semi-structured questionnaire that was tested in a pilot study. Clinical examinations were conducted in children (n = 306) in order to evaluated the presence of malocclusion. Two researchers were previously calibrated (Kappa score of 0.91) for interviews and exams assays. Chi-square (χ²) and Fischer's exact test were used to evaluate this relationship at a significant level of 5% (p < .05). Data were processed into the EpiInfo and GraphPad® softwares. RESULT: Most of the mothers (86.4%) breastfed their children; nevertheless, only 33.4% of children were exclusively breastfed up to six months of age. A total of 44% of children had malocclusion, in which 83% of them were not breastfed during the first six months of age. Non-nutritive sucking habits were observed in 53.3% (176) of children, and the baby pacifier was the most prevalent one (31.2%). It was noted a significant association between lack of breastfeeding and presence of: malocclusion (p < 0.001), open bite (p = 0.001), posterior crossbite (p = 0.034), non-nutritive sucking habits (p < 0.001) and pacifier use (p < 0.001). The exclusive lack of breastfeeding was associated with pacifier use (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In addition to several advantages, the breastfeeding has an important role in the acquisition of non-nutritive habits and prevalence of malocclusion.
Breast feeding; habits; malocclusion; oral health