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SURREY AND LANGLEY, BRITISH COLOMBIA - A child's thumb sucking habit may have parents concerned, and can have them wondering if their child is harming their teeth. The sucking reflex is a natural soothing habit for infants. Some children suck their thumb for comfort and as they get older, the habit should decrease, according to the Canadian and American Dental Association website. Typically, a pacifier would be better than the thumb. Pacifier habits tend to be easier to break than the thumb because a parent can control when the pacifier goes in their child's mouth. "Babies use the thumb to soothe themselves," says Dr. Aly Kanani, a Vancouver invisible braces provider. "They do it to relax and fall asleep." This habit could be harmless if the child only does it occasionally. However, once the permanent teeth begin to erupt, thumb sucking may become an issue. This habit may lead to a protrusion of the front teeth or an open bite that will need to be fixed later with orthodontic treatment. Kanani, of the Guildford orthodontic office, explains some tips to stopping the habit of thumb sucking. 1- Parents should give their child praise when they don't suck their thumb, instead of punishing them when they do.
2- Focus more on the reason why the child is sucking their thumb. Majority of children may use thumb sucking to calm anxiety or insecurity.
3- Involve the child with picking a stopping method, if they are older.
4- Get a professional to explain the effects of thumb sucking to the child.
5- Putting a bandage or sock on the hand can be a reminder to stop sucking the thumb.
"A bitter medicine may be prescribed by a dentist," says iBraces specialist Kanani. "This can be painted on the thumb, and the satisfying effect of thumb sucking will go away." If parents notice a significant problem with their child's teeth, and the habit is getting worse, a habit crib may be cemented in to stop the thumb sucking. This will depend on what the orthodontist recommends. The habit crib can make it hard for the child to suck the thumb, and it may take away the gratification of sucking. The wires of the crib prevent the thumb from touching the gums behind the front, upper teeth. Without the soothing gratification, the child typically no longer needs the habit. The first night with the appliance can be a sleepless night for the child, due to the fact that many use the thumb to fall asleep. "The appliance can begin to work in as little as two weeks after the placement," says Kanani. "However, orthodontic treatment is usually needed." Even though parents can stress about what could happen to their child's teeth, a thumb sucking habit is normal. Punishing the child for this habit is not going to work in the parent's benefit, but praise and encourage will. Learn More about Surrey, Langley, and Vancouver, BC Invisalign with a Complimentary Consultation:
To learn more about orthodontic care for children, visit the websites: www.guildfordorthodontics.com or www.langleyorthodontics.com. To speak with a staff member or schedule a complimentary consultation, call (604) 589-2212 for Surrey, (604) 533-6696 for Langley, and (604) 629-0452 for Vancouver. About Dr. Aly Kanani
Dr. Aly Kanani was born and raised in the Lower Mainland area. He has a bachelor's degree in physiology from McGill University and a master's degree from the London School of Economics in England. He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and completed his master's in education at the University of Pennsylvania. He has a master's degree and a specialty certification in orthodontics from the University of Detroit Mercy. Kanani is working on a master's in public health from Johns Hopkins University. Kanani previously taught clinical orthodontics to dental students at the University of British Columbia Dental School. He has taught at McGill University and the University of Detroit Mercy. His research has been published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. He received the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Scholarship to conduct oral health research in New Delhi; the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, and is a Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. He is a UBC Chancellors Circle lifetime member, and he and his team of orthodontists are Invisalign Elite Preferred providers. He also belongs to the BC Orthodontics Group. © 2011 Dr. Aly Kanani and Master Google. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Dr. Aly Kanani and Master Google, a company that uses the Google SEO keyword tool for research, are credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this document is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links
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