Prolonged non-nutritive sucking habits have negative effects on child’s orofacial structures, physical, social and psychological wellbeing. The objectives of the present study were (1) to determine the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habit in Saudi preschool children, (2) to assess the factors influencing the habit, (3) to determine mothers’ view on causes of non-nutritive sucking and their reasons to stop the habit and (4) to report methods used by the mothers in eliminating the habit. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the kindergartens in Abha and Khamis Mushayt cities. The sample included parents of 328 male and female preschool children. A pre-piloted self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection and the response rate was 85.4%. The prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habit was 46.6%; of these, pacifier sucking was 30.2% and digit sucking was 16.4%. There were significant differences with pacifier habit between mother’s educational status and sex (p=0.008 and p=0.002 respectively). The odds of pacifier habit were higher in females [OR=2.14, 95% CI (1.32, 2.52)] and mothers with higher university education [OR=1.67, 95% CI (1.03, 2.72)]. There were significant differences with digit sucking habit and mothers’ educational status (p=0.022). The odds of digit sucking habit was higher in mothers with intermediate and secondary education [OR=2.25, 95% CI (1.24, 4.07)]. Some mothers (37.90%) used non-nutritive sucking as solution to calm the crying child, while others (47.05%) wanted to stop the habit as it might affect the child’s dentition. Some mothers (37%) interrupted the habit physically, while only 10% had preferred to consult the dentist.
Fingersucking

Koilonychia is dystrophy characterized by eversion of the marginal portion of the nail. As a result, the central portion of the nail is concave. It has been associated with systemic or skin-related conditions. Hereditary koilonychia is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Koilonychia can also be caused by exogenous factors such as certain toxic chemicals or repeated mechanical trauma. In this case, koilonychia on the fingernail of the left thumb was caused by repeated trauma resulting from continuous suction since birth. Herein, we report a rare case of koilonychia induced by habitual thumbsucking.
Fingersucking ; Nails ; Nails, Malformed ; Parturition ; Suction ; Thumb

Finishing is usually accomplished about four to seven months before the removal of orthodontic appliance in order to achieve ideal occlusion and excellent aesthetics. This process, called finishing, is the key to obtain excellent final results. Some of orthodontists believe it can be accomplished at the final stage of orthodontic treatment, and they complete it without their special rationale and criteria for finishing. However, it should be considered as a part of the total treatment plan from the beginning to end, and a guideline for finishing, which is based on rationale and criteria for the removal of orthodontic appliance, is needed to obtain the desired results. The guideline should include a checklist for finishing. This checklist is divided into four categories: occlusal, aesthetic, periodontal, and habitual factors. Occlusal factors include alignment, marginal ridge discrepancy, interproximal contact, anterior inclination, posterior inclination, over-jet, over-bite, arch form, and functional occlusion. Aesthetic factors include gingival form, crown form, crown width, and crown length. Periodontal factors include root angulation, bone level, and black hole in periodontal factors. Habitual factors consist of mouth breathing, tongue position at rest, tongue thrust, lip biting, nail biting, and finger sucking.
Checklist ; Crowns ; Esthetics ; Fingersucking ; Lip ; Mouth Breathing ; Nail Biting ; Orthodontic Appliances ; Tongue

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of digit-sucking habit on palatal features in pre-school children by using a laser scanning system.

METHODSForty pre-school children were chosen according to the results of questionnaires, among which 20 with digit-sucking habit(digit-sucking group) and 20 without any oral habits(control group). Impression of the upper jaw was taken from each child. After laser scanning the plaster casts, and three-dimensional reconstruction by the computer, parameters of anterior and posterior palatal length, width and height were measured, ratios of height/width, length/width and width ratio of anterior and posterior palatal were analyzed. The differences of palatal features between two groups were analyzed by t test.

RESULTSThere was statistical significance between digit-sucking group and control group in posterior palatal width, anterior palatal length and anterior palatal height. The ratios of height/width and length/width in both posterior and anterior areas were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the results indicated that palatal features were relatively deeper, narrower and more protrusive in digit-sucking group.

CONCLUSIONThe digit-sucking habit may have some deleterious impacts on the palatal features in pre-school children with primary dentition. And it is practical to measure the spacial palatal features by using laser scanning system to some extent.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Fingersucking ; Habits ; Humans ; Lasers ; Malocclusion ; Maxilla ; Tooth, Deciduous

Oral habits, such as mouth breathing, sucking, and lip and tongue habits, are important factors that lead to malocclusion. The abnormal pressure will disrupt the muscle balance of the oral and maxillofacial complex and interfere with the normal development of the maxillofacial complex. Therefore, early diagnosis and successful treatment of oral habits are pivotal to the early treatment of malocclusion. This paper discusses the malocclusion caused by children's oral habits and the corresponding intervention methods.
Child ; Fingersucking ; Habits ; Humans ; Malocclusion/therapy* ; Mouth Breathing/complications* ; Tongue Habits

PURPOSE: In order to render substantial solutions to control the refractory enterobiasis, factors were evaluated which were associated with treatment failure in Enterobius vermicularis infestation. METHODS: An epidemiological study was done in 20 patients with refractory entrobiasis and in 107 preschoolers as a control. The possible symptoms and hygienic habits which may associated with entrobiasis were surveyed by questionnaires. RESULTS: The egg positive rate was 35.0% and 19.6% in patients and control, respectively. The incidence of enterobiasis peaked in 3-9 years of age. Finger sucking, nail biting, bed type, toy sucking, bed sharing with siblings, nocturnal anal pruritus, and nighttime crying/irritability were resulted in as significant factors denoting refractory enterobiasis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pinworm was very high in Suwon vicinities. Along with the factors contributing to the refractory enterobiasis, misuse of anti-parasitic drugs was suggested as one of the major causes.
Enterobiasis* ; Enterobius ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Fingersucking ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nail Biting ; Ovum ; Play and Playthings ; Prevalence ; Pruritus ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Siblings ; Treatment Failure

Fingersucking ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Malocclusion ; etiology ; therapy ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; therapy ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III ; therapy ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; methods ; Orthodontics, Interceptive ; methods ; Palatal Expansion Technique ; Time Factors ; Tongue Habits ; adverse effects ; Tooth Extraction ; Tooth, Impacted ; surgery