Abstract

GONCALVES, Patrícia Elaine et al. Breastfeeding versus malloclusion habits: Does a causal relationship exist?. Acta odontol. venez [online]. 2007, vol.45, n.2, pp.182-186. ISSN 0001-6365.

Introduction: The Breastfeeding is an important nutrition source for the newborn, besides being also a natural orthopedic stimulant to the regular growth of maxillaries. Objective: The study evaluated the mothers perception about the importance of the breastfeeding; the maximum age that child should be naturally breastfeed, and to verify if there is an association between breastfeeding and malloclusion habits. Results: I was observed that 88.52% of the mothers associated breastfeeding to the health for the child; and only 1.64% to the oral health. Despite 73.8% mentioned they that should breastfeed the child for more than 6 months, according to WHO/UNICEF in 2004, only 54.1% did it. There was relationship between the presence of pacifiers and the short in time of breastfeeding, according to the qui-square test (p <0,05). Conclusion: There is a necessity of popularization of the importance of maternal breastfeeding for the child' oral health.

Keywords : Breastfeeding; non-nutritional suction habits; weaning; oral health.