Non-nutritive sucking habits and malocclusion in children aged 7 to 9 years in Debabarrena

Abstract

Introduction: A normal occlusion allows the right chewing function, in harmony with the musculoskeletal apparatus. The growth of the skull and face and the pattern of occlusion have a genetic effect. Malnourished suction habits may unbalance muscle forces, the position of teeth, the relationship between bows and their shape, and consequently alter the growth of the mouth and face.

Methods: . Within the Child Dental Care Programme of the Department of Health of the Basque Government, a cross-sectional study of children aged 7 to 9 has been carried out. With regard to non-nutritional suction habits, the aim is to know the prevalence of malocclusions and to determine whether there is any statistical significance between children with non-nutritional suction habits and children who do not have nutritional suction habits or who have abandoned them before the age of three.

Results: Non-nutritional absorption habits are pacifier and/or teat absorption and digital absorption. If we stretch over time, from the age of 3, we can see the previous open bite, the atypical swallowing, the cross-bite, the outgoing and the breathing of the mouth, among others. There is a relation between the habits of sucking without food and the malocclusions studied. The most aggressive habit is to suck your finger.

Conclusions: It is important to prevent malocclusions by informing parents of the harmful effect of these habits on the development of the skull and face.