Original Article

Year : 2016 | Volume : 1 | Issue : 1 | Page : 15-8

Association of Nonnutritive Sucking Habits and Malocclusion: A Cross‐sectional Study

Nikhitha Ramesh, Deepa Guruanthan, Shanmugaavel A. Karthikeyan

Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Address for correspondence:

Dr. Deepa Guruanthan,

Saveetha Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

E‐Mail: drgdeepa@yahoo.co.in

Abstract

Aim:

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between nonnutritive sucking habits (NNSHs) and development of malocclusion.

Objective:

The objective of the study is to assess the association of NNSHs and malocclusion. Materials and Methods: A total of 400 children between the age group of 3–6 years were examined for the presence of NNSHs, and factors that influence the habit were assessed through a questionnaire that was distributed to the parents of all the children and their oral cavity was examined for the presence of malocclusion.

Results:

Out of the 230 children who took part in the study, 61% of them showed the presence of a digit‐sucking habit. Factorssuch as parent’s education, socioeconomic factors, and duration of breastfeeding had a positive influence on NNSH. It was found that 58.1% of digit suckers showed the presence of malocclusion.

Conclusion:

Digit‐sucking habits were found in three‐fourth of the children and found a significant association between NNSH and malocclusion.

Key words: Children, habits, malocclusion

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

How to cite this article: Ramesh N, Guruanthan D, Karthikeyan SA. Association of nonnutritive sucking habits and malocclusion: A cross- sectional study. Int J Pedod Rehabil 2016;1:15-8.