Prevenzione dei problemi ortopedici dei mascellari : Linee Guida Nazionali per la promozione della salute orale e la prevenzione delle patologie orali in età evolutiva : parte quarta = Maxillary orthopedic problems prevention : Italian guidelines for oral health promotion and oral diseases prevention in children : part four

Breast-feeding has a beneficial effect on the oral and facial structure development and it should be encouraged. Bottle-feeding more easily leads to non-nutritive sucking. After the third year of life, maintaining this habit could lead to malocclusions such as anterior open-bite, posterior cross-bite and second molar class. Oral breathing could bring to a narrow palate and to a low position on the mouth floor. In these conditions the orthopedic expansion of the upper jaw can be recommended. In addition, if the position of tongue is low and anterior, dental and/or scheletal open-bite can occur.