PURPOSE: To verify the number of preschool children with anterior open bite and the association with oral habits. METHODS: The universe of the study was formed by 275 preschool children, both male and female, with ages between four and six years, and complete deciduous dentition. This study was developed in two stages: a screening to select the children who presented anterior open bite, and the application of a questionnaire with the parents/caregivers of the 59 children with anterior open bite regarding maternal breastfeeding and oral habits. Data were statistically using the Two-proportion Equality test and the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The proportion of children with anterior open bite was of 21.45% (N=59), with no variation according to gender. It was verified that 93.20% (N=55) of the subjects were breastfed, and 54.5% (N=30) of them was breastfed for six months or more. Most children with open bite, 98.30% (N=58), presented suction habits (baby bottle, pacifier, fingers). A higher occurrence was found among the children that remained with their mouths opened during the night and also used baby bottles (90.9%). Amongst the oral habits, the most prevalent association was between the bottle and the pacifier, with 49.2%. CONCLUSION: The results indicated the presence of anterior open bite, the associated use of bottle and pacifier. Moreover, the data indicated a relationship between anterior open bite and oral habits such as bottles and pacifiers, and between children who remained with their mouths opened at night and also used baby bottles.
Preschool; Open bite; Nursunig bottles; Fingersucking; Mouth breathing; Breast feeding
