A clinic for childrens dentistry in Fort Worth sees the youngest dental patients as well as kids up through their teen years. When a pediatric dentist evaluates a toddler’s teeth or the oral health of a child about to enter kindergarten, this practitioner will notice evidence of certain habits that it’s time to break. A toddler still using a pacifier and a four-year-old still engaging in thumb sucking are examples.
The vigorous sucking that tends to go on with these behaviors, along with having something between the upper and lower teeth for an hour or more, can gradually have negative effects on tooth alignment. The upper front teeth may be pushed forward and the bottom lower teeth pushed backward. Long-term use of pacifiers has been connected with speech development issues in some little ones. Pacifier use also is a risk factor for ear infections, especially after a child is a year old. In fact, USA Today reported in 2014 that the risk of developing an ear infection is 30 percent higher in kids over a year old who use a pacifier.
Restricting the use of a pacifier and ending the thumb-sucking habit can lead to an upset child, especially when the youngster is still a toddler. It’s difficult to reason with someone who’s only a year or two old. They don’t understand why they have to give up an activity that is enjoyable and, to them, seems completely harmless. They think you’re not being fair. In contrast, an older child who needs to quit thumb sucking may not be happy about the situation, but may be more cooperative and not prone to an emotional outburst.
If convincing a child to stop thumb sucking or using a pacifier seems daunting, a clinic for childrens dentistry in Fort Worth is ready with helpful suggestions. There’s no judgmental attitude with a dentist at Rio Dental & Orthodontics. Dentists want their patients to achieve the best oral health possible, even when those patients still only have baby teeth. After all, the health of baby teeth is important for the health of the permanent teeth that come in behind them.
