Oral habits as risk factors for anterior open bite in the deciduous and mixed dentition – cross-sectional study

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ABSTRACT

Aim

Anterior open bite (AOB) is an occlusal anomaly commonly associated with oral habits (OH). The aim of this study was
to determine the prevalence of OH as a risk factor for the AOB.

Methods

A group of children aged between 3 and
12 years were observed. The statistical methodology included independent chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and binary logistic
regression.

Results

The frequency of oral habits was of 43.5 in the deciduous dentition and 54.2 in the mixed
dentition. There was a statistically significant association of pacifier sucking: 61.7 and 16.1 odd ratios (OR), and tongue thrust: 3.9 and
9.2 OR with AOB in both groups, respectively. Thumb sucking occurred only in the deciduous dentition with 5.6 OR.

Conclusion

OH
and AOB have a high frequency in children. They hinder the normal development of dental and skeletal structures. As OH are risk
factors for AOB, the damaging habits most frequently associated are: pacifier sucking, thumb sucking, and tongue thrust. Due to the
correlation between the prevalence of AOB and OH, prevention strategies incorporating psychological data related to children should be
integrated into a national public health programme.

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