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How to Get Your Child to Quit Thumb Sucking

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Dental Care , , , , , ,

How to Get Your Child to Quit Thumb Sucking

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Sucking is a common and healthy impulse among infants, and children often start to suck on fingers or thumbs even before birth. Though it is a natural reflex, it can become a problem when children turn to thumb sucking to soothe themselves any time they are bored, tired or upset. Toddlers will typically stop thumb sucking between the ages of two and four. If persists after a child is four-years-old, you may need to assist them in breaking the habit, as it can lead to permanent dental problems if continued after the age of six.

Below is a list of dental problems often associated with thumb sucking:

  • Buck teeth – Thumb sucking can push new and developing permanent teeth out of normal position, when they begin to grow in. This can alter the shape of the face and lead to an open bite. It can also require expensive orthodontics to correct.
  • Development of a Lisp
  • The misalignment of front teeth can create the inability to form certain speech sounds, which can cause children to speak with a lisp.
  • Improper growth of child’s palate
  • Sucking on the fingers or thumbs can affect the growth of the roof of the mouth, leading to poor tongue placement and problems chewing and swallowing.

Tips to help your child break the habit before dental problems occur:

  • Provide gentle reminders
  • Sometimes your child may be thumb sucking without realizing it. Quietly remind them to stop or do so with a visual cue, as it is important to avoid embarrassing or criticizing. Decide on a cue with them to get them involved in the process..
  • Ignore it
  • If your child is using thumb sucking to get attention, try paying no mind to them and it may be enough to stop the problem.
  • Identify the triggers
  • Thumb sucking is often used as a soothing mechanism when a child is feeling anxious or insecure. Focus on what is causing the anxiety and provide your child with other means of comfort, such as reassuring words or a stuffed animal to squeeze.
  • Encourage and reward your child
  • Praise your child for not thumb sucking, and recognize that they have made the choice to end this habit. Show them their progress by keeping track of the days that they have successfully avoided sucking.

Thumb sucking is a natural coping mechanism for babies, but as children grow older, this reflex can cause dental and speech problems that may need to be corrected with expensive braces or speech therapy. The trick is to work with your child to decrease their dependency on thumb sucking before this coping skill becomes a habit. For further questions or advice on helping your child stop thumb sucking, consult your pediatric dentist.

 

 

Bye, Bye Baby Teeth

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Dental Care , , , , , , , , , ,

Bye, Bye Baby Teeth

When will my child lose their first tooth?

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 We all know that baby teeth have to go sometime in order for new, permanent teeth to grow in, but you might be wondering when exactly it’s normal for a child to lose their first tooth. If your child’s baby teeth came in early, you can usually expect them to lose them early too.

The front two bottom teeth typically fall out first, followed by the two top front teeth. Children usually start losing their teeth between ages five and seven, but wiggly teeth at 4-years-old isn’t uncommon. Keep in mind, children develop at different rates but there are some patterns. For example, girls tend to lose their teeth earlier than boys. If your child does start losing their teeth early (4-years-old or younger), check to make sure there are no signs of trauma or tooth decay. Otherwise, early emerging permanent teeth are likely to be pushing them out. If your child still hasn’t started to lose their baby teeth by age seven, you might want to consider consulting your dentist.

If your child’s tooth is loose, don’t feel like you have to yank it out. If a tooth is forcefully pulled out before it’s ready, your child might develop an infection. Let the tooth fall out on its own if possible. If the tooth is ready and your child wants it removed, use a piece of gauze to gently twist the tooth out. It’s likely that children will continue to loosen the tooth on their own by wiggling it, which is perfectly healthy. Just make sure their hands are clean and they’re brushing twice a day!

Once your child begins to lose their teeth it will take about six years for all their baby teeth to fall out and be replaced with permanent adult teeth. Make sure to take extra care once your child’s permanent teeth grow in as permanent teeth problems typically mean permanent and costly dental work!

 

 

Teething and Dental Care

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Teething can be a painful experience for babies (and parents), but fear not, there are remedies to help get through it. Before suffering sets-in, there are a variety of options for treating the symptoms without medications.

Teething typically starts between four and seven months. The central incisors, either the two front or bottom teeth usually come in first followed by the first molars, then the canines.

Pain relievers that you rub on the gums may offer temporary relief, but they tend to wash out of the baby’s mouth within minutes of applying. A better alternative is to occupy your little gnawer with teething “toys.” A teething toy distracts baby from the discomfort of the pain, and can be something as simple as a wet washcloth that has been left in the freezer for a few minutes. The cloth is safe and soft for them to chew on and the cold helps to numb and soothe the gums. If you don’t have a teething toy handy, your finger can be a good substitute, temporarily (as long as it is clean).

For babies 6-9 months old, introduce a slow-flow sippy cup and fill it with cold water; the coolness of the water and sucking on the top can offer some relief. Remember to clean teething toys after each use and know that it is absolutely fine to allow your baby to chew all day, especially if it is providing them relief from the pain!

First dental visit

As soon as your infant’s first tooth appears you should begin cleaning their teeth and gums on a daily basis. Simply brush them with a child’s soft toothbrush. When a baby is going through the teething process their gums tend to swell and are tender. Take care when brushing and try massaging the gums beforehand to ease your baby’s discomfort.

Just like older children and adults, babies are susceptible to tooth decay. Until they are old enough to learn, parents should take certain measures for prevention:

  • Never put a child to bed with a bottle or food
  • As soon children begin eating solids, gently wipe the mouth clean after each feed
  • Teach children to drink from a regular cup around the 12 -15 month mark
  • If a child insists on a bottle or sippy cup for a long period of the day, fill it with water only
  • Avoid feeding a child foods high in starch or sugar

Remember teething is part of the growing process. Providing simple relief during teething will give babies (and parents) the comfort needed to get through. When teeth begin coming in, implementing the best oral care early on enforces routine, and teaches children good habits for maintaining a healthy smile.