Family and Cosmetic Dentist - Livonia
31574 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150
(734) 425-4530
It was amazing when you first saw your baby sucking his thumb on the ultrasound. After all, sucking is a baby's instinctive survival reflex. But now that he's a "big boy" (or "big girl"!) you're worried that your thumb-sucking child will end up with buck teeth and years of orthodontic visits. The once "cute" instinct is all of a sudden a "bad" habit!
Well, the good news is that your child - like approximately 85 - 90 percent of kids - will probably spontaneously give up thumb-sucking by the time he or she is 4 years old anyway. However, if your child is among the die-hard thumb-sucking population, be aware that the pressure of the thumb on the teeth and roof of the mouth may force the teeth out of position and as such, affect the shape of the jaw. Beyond age 6, problems ranging from protruding teeth to speech defects may start to form due to changes in tooth and bone structure.
Come in and talk to us about suggestions to wean your child off the thumb. While it will most likely happen with time anyway, you'll all be happier once you give this habit the "thumbs down"!
Help Baby Through Teething:
Help sooth the discomfort of teething by rubbing your baby's gums with a clean wet finger or the back of a cold spoon. Teething rings are comforting too, and should be chilled but not frozen in order to avoid frostbite to teeth and gums. If you use ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth, cold carrot sticks or frozen bananas watch your baby diligently to ensure that pieces don't break away and cause choking.
Healthy Snacks For The Whole Family:
The next time you or your child are craving a snack, take your teeth into consideration. The more often you eat foods with natural or added sugars, the greater the chance of developing tooth decay. Here are some tooth-friendly options to take care of after-school or anytime snack attacks: