Pacifier use modifies the association between breastfeeding and malocclusion: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Brazilian oral research Vol. 32; p. e101
• Main Authors: Costa, Catiara Terra da, Shqair, Ayah Qassem, Azevedo, Marina Sousa, Goettems, Marília Leão, Bonow, Maria Laura Menezes, Romano, Ana Regina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica - SBPqO 11.10.2018; Sociedade Brasileira de Pesquisa Odontológica
• Subjects: Breast Feeding; Dentistry; DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; Malocclusion; Tooth, Deciduous; Malocclusion; Tooth, Deciduous; Breast Feeding
• ISSN: 1806-8324; 1807-3107; 1807-3107
• DOI: 10.1590/1807-3107bor-2018.vol32.0101

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of breastfeeding and pacifier use on the occlusal status of preschool children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with children (n = 489) aged 2-5 years in private and public schools in Pelotas, South Brazil. Mothers answered a questionnaire on demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral variables, including breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking habits. Malocclusion was classified as normal/mild and moderate/severe, according to WHO criteria. The association between breastfeeding and pacifier use with malocclusion was tested using multivariate logistic regression. The prevalence of malocclusion was 37.83% (95%CI 33.52-42.14), and 57.87% of the children used a pacifier. A total of 46.01% of the sample was exclusively breastfed for 6 months, and 24.74% were never breastfed. Malocclusion was associated with pacifier use, and with both non-exclusively breastfed and never breastfed. After adjustments for demographic and socioeconomic variables, the children who used a pacifier and were never breastfed (OR = 19.08; 95%CI 8.54-42.63), or who used a pacifier and were not exclusively breastfed (OR = 13.74; 95%CI 6.11-30.92), showed worse occlusal conditions, compared with the children who were exclusively breastfed and never used a pacifier. Pacifier use modifies the relationship between breastfeeding and occlusal status.