Impact of Parents’ Positive Attitude on the Pacifier Sucking Habit Duration and Occurrence of Anterior Open Bite in Children: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the influence of the parents´ attitude on the duration of the pacifier sucking habit and the occurrence of anterior open bite (AOB) in children. Material and Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Ribeirão das Neves, Brazil, including 497 children aged 4-6 years. The pacifier use was reported by the parents and categorized as "never used", "used up to 24 months" and "used more than 24 months". Perceived parental positive attitude was measured by two self-reported questions "I have enough energy to do what has to be done" and "I have self-discipline”. Socioeconomic variables were collected. Children were examined by two examiners to the diagnosis of AOB according to Forster and Hamilton criteria. Adjusted logistic and multinomial regressions were performed (p<0.05). Results: Children who used pacifiers more than 24 months were 6.21 times more likely to have AOB than those who did not use pacifier (95%CI: 2.98–12.92). Children who discontinued pacifier use within 24 months had parents with higher energy than those who keep the habit for more than 24 months (OR:1.22; 95%CI: 1.01–1.47). Parents from children who never used or used pacifier for less than 24 months were more self-disciplined than those who used for more than 24 months (OR: 1.18; 95%CI: 1.01–1.37; OR: 1.29; 95%CI: 1.06–1.56). Conclusion: High energy and self-discipline of parents were active factors in the discontinuation of pacifier sucking habit in less than 24 months