Thumb Sucking and Jaw Development

Pediatric Dentist Chicago

Orthodontist Chicago

Special Needs Dentist Chicago

As a child there are many habits they tend to pick up. The one that seems harmless at first can soon grow into a huge issue. I am referring to thumb sucking of course. When they are really young it is cute, but at what age does it stop being cute and begin to be a problem?

First lets take a look at why they might be doing this. There is something about sucking your thumb that is very comforting. It makes the child feel secure, especially at nighttime. Lets not forget that they always have it on hand. You cannot cut off their thumb, so there has to be a better way to get them out of this routine.

Children who suck their fingers and or thumb are at a much greater risk of altering their teeth. The reason being that children’s teeth, up to age 5, are very movable and are not set in. you might be wondering why it even matters. Their teeth are just going to fall out, so what is the big deal. Well people don’t realize this, but your permanent teeth actually fallow the lead of your baby teeth. If they are pushed forward from thumb sucking, then your permanent teeth will fallow.

This problem with thumb sucking can be very costly as well. If you don’t have dental insurance it can really be expensive, and why not try to avoid braces all together. There are ways to get your child off this disruptive habit. There is nail polish that has a bitter unsatisfying taste that will make this comforting urge less appealing. And that is an understatement; the polish is gross and will deter your child from practicing.

If you can get your child to stop before age 4, there is a good chance their teeth will realign and get back in working order. If they continue, there will almost always be a negative result. The so-called “buckteeth” are the most common issue involved with thumb sucking. Not only does this effect your child’s bite, it could also give them self esteem issues that could impact them for the rest of their lives.

Blog Maintained by: Identity Dental Marketing

Getting Kids to Brush Their Teeth

Getting children in the habit of brushing their teeth

 Pediatric Dentist Chicago

Orthodontist Chicago

Special Needs Dentist Chicago

The average kid does not like brushing their teeth. In fact, if parents didn’t tell them to brush, they would never even consider it. This is why enforcing a designated brush time is very important. At the same time you don’t want to make it seem like a chore. It should be something they are happy to do, and in time it will become a habit that will just come naturally.

The first thing you may want to consider is your choice of toothbrush. If you can have your child excited about this, then you already have a good start. With all the cool toothbrushes out now, this step should come quite easy.

If your child is very young, and cannot properly brush his or her own teeth, there are a few little things that you can do to make it seem fun. First let your child brush your teeth and make a game of it. Afterwards let them try on themselves; they will most likely not do a great job, at this time you should go back and brush their teeth to do so correctly. If this doesn’t seem like something you are interested in, you could also have them practice on a doll and later try and mimic the process with them.

When you first start your kid off, it is wise to use very little toothpaste. If you use too much, you child may be overwhelmed and it could make the experience less enjoyable. A pea size amount should do the trick. Another thing you may want to keep in mind is toothpaste made especially for kids. These are sometimes a good way to get your child motivated. They are less potent and are a better choice for a younger more sensitive mouth.

If you want to take a more subtle approach; act like you don’t know your child is around, and begin too brush. While in the bathroom you should laugh and act like your having a great time brushing your teeth. Your child will view this as a fun activity and will want to partake as well.

The last thing that you need to do is praising your children for brushing. Tell them what a great job they have done. It will show them that you are proud of them and they will respond to your appreciation.