Peer-reviewed article
Relationship between breastfeeding duration and the development of malocclusion and dental caries in children.
Monika Żbikowska, Oskar Tokarczuk, Gabriela Durlej, Leszek Szalewski, Joanna Wysokińska-Miszczuk ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how breastfeeding practices affect children's oral health, including tooth decay and bite problems. Researchers studied 109 children aged 6 months to 15 years using oral examinations and parent questionnaires. While breastfeeding itself did not increase cavity risk, feeding with bottles at night was linked to more cavities, and prolonged breastfeeding—especially while the child slept—was associated with bite problems like open bite and crossbite. The findings suggest certain breastfeeding habits may affect oral development, and dental professionals should educate parents about proper feeding practices.
Key points
- Formula feeding at night with the child falling asleep with a bottle was associated with higher dental caries risk (η = 0.716)
- Prolonged breastfeeding beyond 12 months, particularly during sleep, showed strong association with malocclusions including open bite and crossbite (η = 0.605)
- Breastfeeding or formula feeding alone did not show significant correlation with caries intensity index (dmft) (p < 0.05)
- Study involved 109 children aged 6 months to 15 years with oral examination and parent questionnaires
- Dental professionals should educate parents about proper nutrition and feeding practices from birth to prevent negative effects on oral health
Limitations
The document does not specify the country or region where the study was conducted, making it unclear how findings may generalise to different populations. The study design and sample size are relatively small, and causality cannot be established from the correlational relationships described.
Abstract
Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in the proper development of a child, providing numerous health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between breastfeeding habits and the development of disorders in the stomatognathic system, including malocclusions and dental caries. The research involved 109 children aged 6 months to 15 years. The study included an oral examination and a questionnaire completed by parents regarding breastfeeding duration, feeding practices, and the child's oral hygiene habits. The results showed no significant correlation between breastfeeding or formula feeding and an increase in the child's caries intensity index (dmft) (p < 0.05). However, formula feeding at night, particularly when the child fell asleep with a bottle, was associated with a higher risk of dental caries (η = 0.716). A strong relationship was observed between prolonged breastfeeding, especially when the child slept while breastfeeding, and the occurrence of malocclusions (η = 0.605). Children breastfed beyond 12 months or who continued to breastfeed during sleep were more likely to develop malocclusions, such as open bite or crossbite. The study emphasizes the importance of proper breastfeeding habits which may contribute to the development of malocclusion. While breastfeeding provides several health advantages, certain breastfeeding habits may contribute to the development of malocclusions, necessitating further research to determine the optimal duration and methods of breastfeeding to promote balanced oral development. Dental professionals in their dental practice should educate parents about proper nutrition and childcare from birth in order to eliminate habits that may negatively affect the oral health of their children.