Breast-feeding Lowers Risk of Crossbite

The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of an infant's life. This recommendation is based on benefits for both the mother and the child. Breast-feeding exclusively enhances craniofacial growth and development, and helps prevent non-nutritive sucking habits. Breast-feeding for less than six months or not at all has been shown to result in malocclusion and posterior crossbite in particular. Crossbite in deciduous teeth develops early and rarely self-corrects, so early preventive action is warranted.

Researchers in University of Sao Paulo City, in Brazil clinically examined 1,377 children from 11 public schools in Sao Paulo. The children ranged in age from three to six years. Mothers completed a questionnaire to determine breast-feeding history.

Posterior crossbites were divided into three categories: bilateral, true unilateral, and unilateral with functional deviation of the mandible. Four categories of breast-feeding were identified: never (119), less than six months (720), six to 12 months (312), and more than 12 months (226).

Crossbite was diagnosed in 16.2 percent of the entire group, with subcategories being 2.8 percent bilateral, 4.4 percent true unilateral and 9.4 percent with functional unilateral crossbite. Crossbite decreased with longer history of breast-feeding. In children who were not breast-fed, the crossbite incidence was 31.1 percent. For those breast-fed less than six months, the incidence was 22.4 percent. Much lower incidence was found for those breast-fed six to 12 months - 8.3 percent and 2.2 percent for those breast-fed more than 12 months.

Clinical Implications: Breast-feeding exclusively for at least six months and more than 12 months can reduce the potential for posterior crossbite in deciduous teeth.

Kobayashi, H., Scavone, H, Ferreira, R., et al. Relationship Between Breastfeeding Duration and Prevalence of Posterior Crossbite in the Deciduous Dentition. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 137: 54-58, 2010.

Thanks to Dr Derek Mahony for this information!