Relationship between Nutrition and Development of the Jaws in Children: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Craniofacial growth and development have been shown to be influenced by various environmental factors that impact child development. This study aims to analyze the different patterns of feeding during early childhood, starting from birth, and assess the variability of nutrition during the first stage of childhood, along with the habits developed, to study their impact on jaw development. The study was conducted on a sample of twenty-five patients aged 3 to 5, following approval from the ethics committee of the Catholic University of Valencia. Informed consent was obtained from the fathers, mothers, and/or legal guardians, who were administered surveys on habits and diet. Cephalometric measurements within the parameters of ideal occlusion were subsequently taken. While previous studies examined this subject, the findings are challenging to evaluate. However, this study identified significant associations (p = 0.001) between clinical measurements and children's eating habits. The growth and development of the craniofacial cavity are influenced by multiple factors, including a child's diet and habits. Nonetheless, further research is required to determine whether diet can be considered a determining factor in proper jaw growth.

Keywords: early childhood; feeding; occlusion; pacifier; temporary dentition.

Figure 1

Age of the child at the different moments of completion of a feeding stage.

Figure 2

Means obtained from the measurements of the cephalometric parameters.

Figure 3

Frequency of daily bottle feedings.

Figure 4

Frequency of pacifier use.

Figure 5

Association between the type of complementary feeding and maxillary diastema.

Figure 6

Distribution of the weekly amount by type of food.