PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

• Introduction
• Tooth Brushing
• Digit Sucking
• Tooth Eruption
• Early Childhood Tooth Decay
• Cavity Prevention
• Gum Disease
• Adolescence and Oral Care

Digit Sucking

Digit sucking is a habit that occurs in infants. Children usually give up digit sucking by the age of four. If the child continues past this age they may develop crooked teeth and a malformed roof of their mouth. This results from the frequency, duration, intensity, and position of the digit in the child's mouth. This can also affect the position of the upper and lower jaw and can also affect speech and cause abnormal growth and development of the jaws.

Suggestions to break the habit:

• Wait till the time is right (low stress).
• Motivate your child (show examples of what could happen to their teeth and fingers/thumbs).
• Use a reward system (small incentives will encourage your child to stick with it).
• Use an oral habit appliance (Please ask us about our custom made habit appliances)