Evaluation of mothers' knowledge about the importance of breastfeeding and the influence of deleterious oral habits on the development of malocclusion

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the mothers' knowledge about the importance of breastfeeding and its relationship with the presence of deleterious oral habits and malocclusion, using a questionnaire as a search instrument. The sample consisted of 302 mothers present in the waiting room of the outpatient clinic of the Amaury de Medeiros Integrated Health Center – CISAM/UPE. The results showed that most mothers breastfed their children (91.7%), with the most frequent breastfeeding time in the range of zero to six months (47.6%) and considered breast milk very important for the baby (96.4%). Regarding the benefits of breastfeeding for the baby, most mothers believe in the ability to protect against infections (74.2%) and regarding the benefits to mothers, the highest percentage of mothers do not believe that breastfeeding reduces bleeding soon after delivery (80.8%), makes the mother's uterus return more quickly to normal (67.9%) or serves as a method of birth control (85.8%). Regarding deleterious oral habits, most of the interviewees believe that the use of pacifiers (96.7%) and bottles (99.3%) by newborns is contraindicated, as they can harm the child's facial development (92.7%); however, the item "crooked and forward teeth" was the only one strongly related (84.1%). Regarding the sources of information about breastfeeding, most mothers received some professional guidance (77.5%), through doctors (52.0%), leaving a small percentage for dentists (17.5%). It can be concluded that, although there is an awareness of the role of breastfeeding, the results of the study point to a deficit of information for pregnant women. Education as a way to prevent oral problems should be the first option in the professional routine of dental surgeons, both in the public and private care networks.