Effect of Feeding Practice on the Occlusal Characteristic of Primary Dentition

Objectives: This study was developed to assess the effect of bottle-feeding, breast-feeding and oral habits on the occlusal characteristic of primary dentition in 3-6-year-old children attending preschools in Peking city.
Methods: This cross section study included 734 children in three daycare centers, 398 males and 336 females with a mean age of 4.48±0.84. The information of the beginning time and cease time of feeding practice and oral habits was investigated by means of questionnaires filled out by parents/guardians. The occlusal characteristics exam was performed at the daycare center facilities by a single, previously calibrated examiner, under direct lighting. The following variables were evaluated: presence or absence of deep over bite, open bite, anterior cross bite, posterior cross bite, deep over jet, overcrowding and spacing and the primary second molar terminal plane relationship, canine relationship.
Results: Multiple logistic regressions showed an association between a short duration of breast-feeding (never or less than 6 months) and posterior cross bite (OR = 3.85; 95% CI: 1.27-11.1) and close space in maxillary (OR = 1.40; 95% CI: 0.99-1.97). Children who were bottle-fed for more than 24 months had a 3-fold higher risk for the development of nonmesial step occlusion and 4-fold higher risk for class II canine relationship compared with children who bottle-fed for 6 to 18 months. Children who exposed to a prolonged sucking habit or tongue thrusting habit showed greater probability of presenting with open occlusal relationship.
Conclusions: There was an association between breast-feeding duration and the prevalence of posterior crossbite and close space, likewise between bottle-feeding duration and nonmesial terminal step and class II canine relationship in the deciduous dentition. Children who exposed to a sucking habit or tongue thrusting habit were more likely to develop an open bite.