Association between oral habits, mouth breathing E.G. Paolantonio, N. Ludovici, and malocclusion in Italian S. Saccomanno, G. La Torre*, C. Grippaudo preschoolers Dental and Maxillofacial Institute, Head and Neck Department, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy *Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy e-mail:
[email protected] DOI 10.23804/ejpd.2019.20.03.07 Abstract Introduction Etiopathogenesis of malocclusion involves not only genetic Aim This cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate but also environmental factors, since craniofacial development the prevalence of malocclusion and associated factors in is stimulated by functional activities such as breathing, preschoolers with the aim of assessing the existence of an chewing, sucking and swallowing [Salone et al., 2013]. association between bad habits and mouth breathing with Non-nutritive sucking habits and mouth breathing are the the most severe malocclusions. most significant environmental risk factors for malocclusion Materials and methods A sample of 1616 children aged [Grippaudo et al., 2016; Gòis et al., 2008; Primožič et al., 2013], 3–6 years was visited by applying the Baby ROMA index, an as they can interfere with occlusion and normal craniofacial orthodontic treatment need index for preschool age. The development. Infants have an inherent, biological drive following were searched: the prevalence of malocclusion, for sucking, that can be satisfied through nutritive sucking, the association of bad habits and mouth breathing with including breast- and bottle-feeding, or through non-nutritive malocclusion, how often are found in association and how sucking on objects such as digits, pacifiers, or toys that may this association is statistically significant.