Influence of early weaning on Class II malocclusions: literature review

Abstract

Breastfeeding is the most effective way to offer infants a complete nutritional, immunological and physiological stimulus for healthy growth. Early weaning can result in an unfavorable development of oral functions and difficulty in using a bottle and pacifier that cause the appearance of malocclusions, such as Angle Class II. To review the current literature on the influence of early weaning on class II malocclusions, as well as to analyze the main nutritional methods of newborns and to investigate the main non-nutritive sucking habits. A literature review was carried out with a search in the databases SciELO, Cochrane, BIREME e PubMed/MEDLINE on the topic, with 30 scientific articles selected. It can be seen that most of the articles researched confirm that early weaning, directly or indirectly, contributes to the installation of malocclusion, mainly Class II malocclusion. It was concluded that natural breastfeeding contributes to an adequate development of the stomatognathic system and early weaning favors the installation of non-nutritive sucking habits, strong triggers of malocclusion.