There are harmful oral habits that may influence the development of malocclusions; although they are not life-threatening, their consequences constitute a public health problem. This literature review seeks to establish habits more commonly evaluated by dentists, identify their problems and provide practical guidance. A search was made of the literature on oral habits to find rapid treatment with the aim of limiting the damage.

Human beings have two dentitions, which require at least fifteen years for consolidation. During this process, the genetic information that determines shape and growth are expressed and the occlusion consolidates; however, during this period, environ- mental factors can generate changes in the form and function of the individual. Crowding is one of the most prevalent malocclusions and the treatment approach depends on the facial, skeletal and occlusal features of each patient. This article discusses the eruption guide procedure as an interceptive treatment for crowding based on the concepts of growth and occlusion development. It addresses the importance of developing preventive methods based on adequate knowledge of normal growth, dentition development and the factors that modify it. This review highlights the importance of serial extraction to anticipate space changes that will occur unless the teeth are removed with strategic intervals to relieve the severity of malocclusion.

There are pernicious oral habits and positions adopted during daily activities that are potentially harmful and may influence the development of malocclusion. This literature review aims to consider the habits that are not commonly evaluated by dentists. To do so, we searched the current literature on these activities, which facilitates detection, correction and prevention of damage generated in the stomatognathic system.