|
July 19, 2009- ST. PAUL AND MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – When it comes to quieting and calming babies and toddlers, there are several tricks of the trade that get the job done in the short term. But in some cases, calming and coping mechanisms such as thumb sucking, using a pacifier or drinking from a bottle can lead to future orthodontic problems if used too frequently and for too long. Sucking is a natural reflex in babies, according to the Colgate Web site (http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthAtAnyAge/InfantsAndChildren/Infants/CanPacifiersBabyBottlesRuinMyBabysTeeth.cvsp). It also is an important part of a child’s development that serves to comfort children even when they begin eating regular food and no longer breast feed or drink from a bottle. Thumb Sucking Lots of children suck their thumbs because it feels good to them, said Minneapolis Orthodontist Dr. Trudy Bonvino, who serves as the orthodontist on staff at Cosmopolitan Orthodontics. They may suck their thumbs when they are sick, scared or tired. The American Dental Association has stated that most children can suck their thumbs until they reach 3 or 4 years old without damaging their teeth. However, children who vigorously suck their thumbs and continue to do so beyond age 4 risk causing damage that will require orthodontic treatment to correct, said Orthodontist Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth, a Minneapolis, Minnesota braces expert who owns Cosmopolitan Orthodontics. If children don’t eventually stop sucking their thumbs on their own, an orthodontist can install appliances that take away the pleasing sensation children get when sucking their thumbs. Pacifiers Parents who allow their children to use a pacifier during the first few years of life need not worry about causing future dental problems, according to a Mayo Clinic article on the topic (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pacifiers/pr00067). It is the persistent use of a pacifier beyond about age 4 that can lead to long-term dental problems that include top front teeth that slant outward, lower front teeth that slant inward, misaligned jaws or narrowing of the roof of the mouth. Eisenhuth recommends that parents give their children orthodontic pacifiers. These scientifically designed pacifiers support the shape of the jaws and palates in babies, according to www.gerber.com. Baby Bottles Because the desire to suck is innate, there are lots of children who continue to crave bottles long after their nutritional uses have ended, Eisenhuth said. But when parents put anything other than water in the bottle, they increase their child’s risk of developing tooth decay early in life. “Sugars and carbohydrates in the mouth promote the growth of bacteria that can cause cavities,” she said. “Early decay is of particular concern because it can spread quickly and increase a child’s risk of enduring a lifetime of cavities and other dental problems.” Early Orthodontic Treatment Orthodontists recommend that children see an orthodontist by age 7, when a child’s first adult molars typically have erupted, Eisenhuth said. By age 7, orthodontists can evaluate children to determine whether they have an overbite, an open bite, teeth crowding issues or a gummy smile. They also can correct many alignment problems that may have been caused by thumb sucking or extended pacifier and bottle use. “Through early orthodontic treatment, we can address a variety of alignment and bite problems and prevent the need for braces down the road in many cases,” she said. “If we can’t prevent the need for braces, we almost always can reduce the length of time children will need to be in braces in the future when we get them involved in early treatment.” Learn More If you would like to schedule a free consultation for your child with Dr. Trudy Bonvino or you would like more information on Cosmopolitan Orthodontics, please call (952) 469-3333 or visit the Web site: www.cosmoortho.com. Cosmopolitan Orthodontics is located at 17757 Juniper Path in Lakeville. About Dr. Trudy Bonvino A native of the Twin Cities, Trudy Bonvino was drawn to a career in orthodontics because it combined her two greatest interests: art and science. Dr. Bonvino has set the highest standards in orthodontics since June 1994. She attended the University of Minnesota where she earned her bachelor’s degree before attending the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and graduating with high distinction and her Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1992. In 1994, Dr. Bonvino completed a residency in clinical orthodontics at the University of Minnesota and earned her master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Bonvino is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Midwest Society of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, and she serves on the executive committee of the Minneapolis District Dental Society. Dr. Bonvino and her husband, Chris, have two children. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, painting, fitness training and cheering her children on in their activities. © 2009 Sinai Google Marketing and Cosmopolitan Orthodontics. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links. -end-
Related Articles -
Minneapolis orthodontist, Minneapolis braces,
| 
