THE DENTAL EFFECTS OF THUMB

AND FINGER SUCKING HABITS

 It is important as parents to be aware that if your child's thumb or finger sucking habit is still present when their permanent teeth come in, there is a greater chance of developing a bad bite.  This means that if the activity has not ceased by the age of five or six years, you need to constructively and gently help your child to stop the habit.  It is also a good idea to have an orthodontic evaluation at this time.  We can assess if there are any habit related alterations to the alignment of your child's teeth or jaws as well as check for associated changes in the soft tissues.  We can also discuss habit control strategies with you and follow your child's bite and facial development as they grow.  If there are recommendations for interceptive or future corrective orthodontic care, we will present a timeline for you. 

Common orthodontic problems that are caused by pressure on the teeth and mouth as a result prolonged thumb or finger sucking may include upper teeth that protrude, lower teeth that tip back, an open bite, or a posterior crossbite.  Furthermore, these habits often affect tongue posture, lip posture, swallowing, and speech.

Although a persistent thumb or finger sucking habit is a cause for concern, there is no reason for alarm.  With the appropriate supportive intervention and orthodontic care as needed a healthy and beautiful smile is completely within reach.

Opal Seal 3D Patient Video

The Best Age for Braces

I often get the question: “What is the best age for braces?” To answer it, here are some general guidelines when trying to decide when you should consult an orthodontist: 

Orthodontic problems vary, depending on tooth position, jaw growth, or a combination of issues. Each of the many problems that can be present affects the best time to start braces– some as early as age 7 or 8.

To help you identify when it’s time to see an orthodontist for a consult, here are 3 signs to look for:

1. Overjet: Crowding and Spacing: Front teeth that stick out too much (overjet), are crowded, or are spaced.
   
2. Overbite: Bites where the lower front teeth are near or biting the roof of the mouth.
   
3. Crossbite: Trickier to see, but very important, bites where any upper teeth hit behind or inside the lower teeth. This is known as crossbite, which can harm the teeth and cause the lower jaw to grow to one side.

Additionally, by timing braces well, the patient gets the best result the easiest way. The American Association of Orthodontists and Dr. Merz recommend the first orthodontic consult at age 7, when the first set of permanent molars are in and the new incisors are showing up. Then, we follow young patients every six to 12 months to make sure the new teeth come in properly and to time treatment so that we can achieve the very best results, the simplest way possible.

With an early orthodontic evaluation, you’ll be giving your child the best opportunity for a healthy, straight, glowing smile. Feel free to ask me more about the best age for braces for your child. You can call (858) 755-9990, or visit torreypinesorthodontics.com.

***If you mention this article when you make your appointment, we will offer $250 toward the cost of treatment, whenever your child is ready.***

Braces off! Congratulations to our wonderful patients with their Awesome new smiles!

Malocclusion and Periodontal Disease

Malocclusion affects 74% of American adults.  If you have malocclusion, it may affect your periodontal health because it is more difficult to clean teeth when they are not properly aligned. Periodontal disease can begin as gum redness or bleeding while brushing or flossing your teeth, and you may notice bad breath.  If not treated, it can become worse, leading to receding gums, pockets between teeth and gums, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss.

Straightening your teeth and correcting your malocclusion can make a significant difference to having a health mouth and keeping your teeth for life.

Jennifer talks about Invisalign

Expander treatment is usually done early (before full braces) in order to take advantage of the growth and development of the jaw.  This early treatment can help avoid a more complicated treatment later. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that the initial exam by the Orthodontist be done by age 7, unless referred earlier by the general dentist.  Once the expansion phase of treatment is complete a retainer will be worn and observation appointments will be scheduled every 3-6 months to monitor growth and eruption of permanent teeth and evaluate for a second phase ( full braces) treatment.