Other Dentists in Carrollton
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Oral Surgeons in near by cities
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Derek G Ellis (0 Reviews)
972-394-2114 - 4323 N Josey Ln Ste 103, Carrollton, TX |
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George A Nail (0 Reviews)
972-395-2279 - 3740 N Josey Ln Ste 145, Carrollton, TX |
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Lee P Oneacre (0 Reviews)
972-394-2114 - 4323 N Josey Ln Ste 103, Carrollton, TX |
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| Thumb Sucking and Its Role in Your Child's Oral Health Carrollton |
Have you ever looked at your child’s thumb sucking habit and wondered whether it will damage the little one’s teeth? Many kids (usually toddlers) find that thumb sucking provides them with a luxurious comfort. Children often feel secure, safe and comforted by this seemingly harmless act. As harmless as it may seem at a small age, as time goes the habit can affect your child’s oral health in a negative way.
Up to a certain age, thumb sucking won’t affect your child’s teeth. This safe age range probably lasts only until your child hits the fourth birthday. Children who continue to suck their thumb beyond this age will probably get “bucked teeth.” This condition comprises of the teeth in the mouth’s front sticking out and appearing misaligned with other teeth and larger as well. This occurs primely because a child’s teeth can be easily moved and so they will easily take the shape of the object which is placed amongst them. Therefore, with time, you will find that your child’s thumb will fit in snugly among your thumb-sucking toddler’s teeth.
Getting your child to break the thumb sucking habit before he or she turns four will help bring their teeth back to the actual place with less of a “bucked” look. On the other hand, as your child grows older, you will find the teeth less capable of moving easily and so it may not really return to its original position. Because the permanent teeth take on the entrance pattern of the milk teeth, they too will enter exactly where the baby teeth are located. Hence, once the toddler loses his or her milk teeth, the new set of permanent adult teeth are likely to grow firmly in the new position. Since they are so firmly held by the gums, it is less likely that they will move back into the “non-bucked” and normal position. It is quite unfortunate that this may result in your child having to wear braces or any other orthodontic appliance to bring their teeth back to a cosmetically pleasant state. In case, you can’t afford orthodontics, your child will have to live life with a smile which brings them much embarrassment and a low self-esteem.
As hard as it may seem to get your toddler to break the thumb sucking habit, as a parent it is important for you to try to make it stop. You can consider using over-the-counter products like ointments and nail polishes which have a foul taste; this will make the habit repulsive. Consider rewarding your child for successful daily attempts to stop by giving them small gifts or taking them on an outing. In case this proves unsuccessful, a trip to a dentist can prove useful. The dentist may be able to recommend the use of a treatment such as the use of a special “thumb-sucking” appliance which will help break the habit. |
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