Breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking habits as covariates of malocclusion in the primary dentition among Tanzanian children: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Studies on the effect of feeding practices and sucking habits on malocclusion traits in the primary dentition of pre-schoolchildren from developing countries are scarce.

Purpose: Assessing the association of feeding and sucking habits with malocclusion traits, and the association of malocclusion traits with observed oral functional problems.

Methods: It was a cross-sectional survey of children aged 3-5 years residing in Kinondoni and Temeke Districts of Dar es Salaam region in Tanzania. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists, SPSS version 21.0. Univariate analysis was applied to generate frequencies of different variables. Cross tabulations and Chi-square statistics were used to assess bivariate relationships and multivariate analyses were performed by multiple logistic regression.

Results:  Most pre-schoolchildren (82.5%) were breastfed for less than two years. A history of non-nutritive sucking habits was reported in 28.1% of the children, mostly in boys than girls (33.6% versus 21.8%, respectively. The current non-nutritive sucking habits were reported in 17.8% of the participants. Overall, malocclusion traits were most significantly seen in children who were breastfed for less than two years, compared with those who were breastfed for two years or more (48.5% versus 27.3%, respectively). The presence of various malocclusion traits was significantly found among most of the children who had a history of non-nutritive sucking habits, compared with those who had never performed the habits (65.9% versus 38.6 %, respectively). In the logistic regression analyses, children who were breastfed for a shorter duration (<2 years), their probability of being found with different traits of malocclusion in the primary dentition was almost three times that for those who were breastfed for a longer duration (≥ two years). Also, children who were not actively performing non-nutritive sucking habits were less likely to have an open bite compared with those who were actively performing non-nutritive sucking habits. An open bite in children was significantly associated with speech problems (p<0.01) and swallowing with tongue thrusting (p=0.000).

Conclusion and recommendations: Most of the children who were breastfed for a shorter duration and children who had non-nutritive sucking habits were found with various malocclusion, compared with those who were breastfed for a longer duration and those who had no non-nutritive sucking habits. It is crucial to recommend exclusive breastfeeding for up to 6 months and continuation of breastfeeding practice, possibly for up to 2 years of age due to its nutritional, immunological, and stomato-gnathic system developmental benefits.