How Oral Habits Can Affect Your Child’s Dental Health
As a parent, you want to ensure your child’s oral health is in the best condition possible. While thumb sucking and pacifier use are common soothing behaviors for infants; if it becomes a prolonged habit it can significantly affect their dental development. Keep reading to learn how these habits can impact your child’s teeth and what you can do to mitigate potential issues!
The Natural Reflex and Its Implications
Oral habits like thumb sucking or pacifier use are natural reflexes for infants and can be comforting for them, especially during their early years. However, if these habits continue beyond the infant stage, they can start to exert excessive pressure on your child’s teeth and jaws. Some changes in bone structure and tooth alignment can be noticeable as early as 18 months of age.
Common Orthodontic Problems from Oral Habits
- Protruding Front Teeth: Prolonged thumb sucking can cause the front teeth to stick out, commonly referred to as “buck teeth.” This condition can make it difficult for your child to close their mouth comfortably, potentially leading to speech problems and an increased risk of dental trauma.
- Open Bite: An open bite occurs when the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap, which can create issues with swallowing and speech. An open bite can significantly impact how your child chews and speaks.
- Crossbite: If the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth, it can cause the jaw to shift to one side, resulting in lopsided jaw growth. Correcting a crossbite early is crucial to ensure proper jaw alignment and function.
- Overbite: This is when the upper front teeth extend significantly beyond the lower front teeth when the mouth is closed. An overbite can cause loss of tooth structure and crowded or crooked teeth.
Additional Dental Risks
Thumb sucking can also lead to other dental problems, such as:
- Misaligned teeth, where they are out of place in the gum line.
- Changes in the structure of the mouth, including the shape of the jaw and the alignment of the teeth.
- Lower front teeth that tilt inward.
- Gaps between the upper and lower teeth, making it impossible for the front teeth to bite together properly.
- Narrowing of the roof of the mouth, pushing it further up.
- Lisp formation and abnormal tongue positioning.
Mitigating the Effects
Most children naturally stop sucking their thumbs or using pacifiers between the ages of two and four. However, if your child continues these habits vigorously beyond this age, they may be at increased risk for the dental issues mentioned above.
If your child has developed oral issues due to prolonged oral habits, orthodontic treatment can help correct these problems. Treatment like Invisalign or traditional braces can move teeth back into place, reducing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. Additionally, orthodontic interventions can improve your child’s ability to chew food properly, fix bite issues to enhance speech, and correct jaw problems that may cause an underbite or overbite.
Hatcher & Frey’s Smile Squad
At Hatcher & Frey Orthodontics, we understand the impact that early childhood habits can have on dental health. We offer a range of treatments tailored to address issues arising from prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use, using state-of-the-art technology to deliver exceptional results.
Are you interested in learning more about orthodontics for your child? Our Smile Squad program is a two-phased approach to orthodontic education and preventative care for families with children ages 10 and younger. We believe in empowering parents with the knowledge and tools they need to support their child’s oral health journey.
For more information on our Smile Squad, click here. Interested in scheduling a free consultation? Contact us today – let’s work together to keep those little smiles shining bright!