If left to continue as the permanent teeth come in, thumb-sucking can impact your child’s jaw and tooth development, and may even lead to crooked teeth. Here’s what you need to know about your child’s thumb-sucking habit and their tooth development!

Thumb-Sucking Can Cause Issues With Tooth Development

If your child still sucks their thumb as their permanent teeth come in, it can cause issues with the growth and the alignment of the teeth [2]. Vigorous thumb suckers can even develop problems with their baby teeth. Due to the position of their thumb in their mouth, the teeth can actually grow “around” the finger, creating crowded or crooked teeth.

The same is also true for children who suck their thumbs for an extended period of time. This action can actually “push” the front teeth forward, which could lead to protruding teeth or crooked teeth.

May Also Cause an Improper Bite

Thumb-sucking past the age when the permanent teeth come in can cause a malocclusion, otherwise known as an improper bite [3]. The most common improper bite as a result of thumb-sucking is what’s called an open bite. An open bite happens when the jaw is at rest, but the front upper and lower teeth don’t align properly, and so there will be an open space. Both thumb and pacifier sucking can cause an open bite.

When the jaw doesn’t fit together properly, it can lead to other problems, including chronic jaw discomfort or even trouble chewing or speaking. Stopping thumb-sucking is one preventable way to prevent a malocclusion in your child!

When to Break the Habit

If your child doesn’t stop sucking their thumb or pacifier on their own by the age of five years old, it could be time to intervene [4]. Once the habit is broken, your child’s teeth may still return to normal, or they may need orthodontic intervention if the permanent teeth have been affected. Your dentist can let you know more about what to expect during your child’s checkup.

While thumb-sucking is normal and shouldn’t necessarily be discouraged, it can be a problem if your child doesn’t stop on their own past the age of five or six. You can schedule an appointment with your child-friendly dentist to talk about your child’s thumb-sucking habits and determine if they could be negatively impacting your child’s smile. Your dentist can also give you more pointers on helping your little one to stop if they are past the age that thumb-sucking is considered normal.

Be aware of the effect excessive or prolonged thumb-sucking can have on your child’s teeth as well as their jaw development! By doing so, you can support your child by making healthy choices to protect their oral health for years to come.

Sources:
1. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/tp23120
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/thumbsucking
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2639459
4. https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/aap-press-room-media-

The post Your Child’s Thumb-Sucking May Be Causing Crooked Teeth appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

These devices are custom made for your smile and typically involve metal wires and plastic—it might sound uncomfortable, but since it’s made for your unique smile, retainers are comfortable when worn properly!

However, many people don’t realize that they need to wear their retainer for much longer than expected. Depending on your unique case, most orthodontists recommend wearing these devices full-time for approximately one year after your orthodontic treatment is complete.

But do you need to wear your retainer forever? The answer may surprise you.

Yes, Because Your Teeth Will Shift!

Your teeth are vulnerable to shifting throughout your lifetime. Forces naturally exerted by the jaw when chewing and the aging process can cause the teeth to shift forward in the mouth, towards your lips.

This effect is amplified if you’ve received orthodontic treatment, as teeth can shift back to their original positions in the mouth. In order to maintain your newly-straightened teeth, you must wear your retainer for an indefinite amount of time after your treatment [1].

Don’t Worry, You Don’t Have to Wear Them 24/7

Generally, most orthodontists will recommend wearing your retainers nightly once your year or other specified time of wearing your retainers full-time is up. So while you won’t have to wear them during the day forever, you can and should still wear them every night to help maintain the alignment of your smile for the rest of your life [2].

Make Your Retainer Use Part of Your Oral Care Routine

It sounds like a big commitment to wear your retainer every night, but consider the consequences of not wearing your retainer.

For too many adults, having to invest in orthodontia again is an unfortunate reality of not wearing their retainer. For many, they had braces as a teenager but neglected to wear their retainer, forcing them to consider orthodontic treatment again as an adult.

It can feel difficult to get into a routine of wearing your retainer, especially if you haven’t worn it in a while. But the best way to commit to your straight smile is by incorporating your retainer use into your nightly oral care routine [3]. Keep your retainer case by your toothbrush to remind you to wear it!

Don’t Forget About Your Retainer!

It can be tempting to think that you’re finally done with orthodontic appliances, especially if your treatment was lengthy. But wearing your retainer is the best way to keep your smile straight and prevent the need for future treatment. Even if you wear your retainer only a few nights a week, it’s better than not at all. Stay invested in your beautiful new smile by wearing your retainer regularly!

Sources:
1. https://cao-aco.org/long-need-wear-retainer-braces/
2. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=retainers-keep-teeth-from-
3. https://www.aaoinfo.org/blog/parent-s-guide-post/post-treatment/

The post Do I Really Need to Wear My Retainer Forever? (And Why) appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Although gingivitis isn’t technically gum disease, it can lead to full-blown gum disease if left untreated. Here are the top causes of this oral health problem and how you can treat it to prevent gum disease from ruining your smile!

Poor Oral Hygiene

Plaque is the most common cause of gingivitis. Plaque consists of bacteria that coats the teeth—if you haven’t brushed for a few hours or overnight, you can often feel plaque beginning to form on your pearly whites!

Typically, you can keep plaque off the surfaces of your teeth and from accumulating around your gumline by brushing and flossing regularly. However, when you skip brushing or flossing, plaque can build up in the mouth and eventually lead to gingivitis [1].

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes have the ability to affect the oral cavity, particularly when it comes to gum tissue. In pregnant women, these changes can cause an increased flow of blood to the gums, causing them to appear swollen and to mimic the symptoms of gingivitis [2].

However, don’t immediately write off your symptoms as related to pregnancy. Some women may have gingivitis before they become pregnant, and the hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the condition worse.

You should always follow up with your dentist if you’re experiencing symptoms of gum disease, especially during pregnancy, as women with gum disease are more at risk to give birth to premature babies or babies with low birth weight [3].

Other Causes

There are other factors that can cause gum disease. People whose parents have gingivitis are more likely to develop it, as are people who smoke or use tobacco.

People who have crowded or crooked teeth may have difficulty cleaning all the surfaces of their teeth, leading to more plaque formation and an increased risk of gingivitis. Uncontrolled diabetes can also influence plaque formation in the oral cavity.

Some medications such as anti-seizure medications and even oral contraceptives have also been linked to gingivitis [4].

How Can You Treat Gingivitis?

Your dentist can usually treat gingivitis without special treatment. Typically, patients with gum inflammation need a deep cleaning to remove plaque from around the gumline, and to continue proper oral care habits at home [5].

For patients whose crowded teeth or a medical condition such as diabetes is suspected to be the cause of their gingivitis, correcting these underlying issues can lead to greater chances of success with treating the condition.

Keeping up with your regular dental visits in addition to your oral care at home can help prevent gingivitis! When treating this oral health condition, it’s essential to follow up with your dentist for regular cleanings to ensure that the inflammation doesn’t return and develop into gum disease.

Sources:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gingivitis/symptoms-causes/syc-
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/pregnancy/concerns
3. https://www.perio.org/consumer/AAP_EFP_Pregnancy
4. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/g/gingivitis
5. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001056.htm

The post Gingivitis: Top Causes and How to Treat It appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Veneers are a popular form of treatment that can cover crooked teeth, stained teeth, or
chipped teeth for a comprehensive smile makeover.

With so many benefits, it helps to know how durable this form of cosmetic dentistry is and how
long you can expect it to last when considering dental veneers!

Dental Veneers Are Extremely Durable

Dental veneers are made of porcelain ceramic. Although they’re light and thin, they can resist
wear and tear just like your natural tooth enamel. They’re resistant to staining, cracks, and
chips to help you have a functional, durable smile.

Your dental veneers won’t affect how you use your natural teeth. Since the veneer essentially
covers your real teeth, they are considered a cosmetic treatment and will not affect the
function of your teeth. Veneers can help make your smile more resistant to damage and
staining, however.

Veneers Can Last Over a Decade

With proper care, you can expect dental veneers to last about 10 years. However, you may be
able to keep your veneers for 15-20 years or even longer without replacement.

Many patients will at least need to get their veneers re-evaluated during this time. Although
dental veneers are resistant to discoloration, they can still stain over time and they can still
sustain damage, especially if you’re not caring for your smile through daily brushing, flossing,
and regular dentist visits.

When you take care of your dental veneers, you might just see your investment last for more
than a decade and possibility two!

Extending the Life of Your Veneers

Just because dental veneers are durable and can last for years and years doesn’t mean you can
abuse or neglect your teeth. You’ll still need to brush and floss your teeth just like normal. If you play sports, you should still invest in a custom mouthguard to protect your smile.

You should also avoid teeth grinding, chewing on ice, and other damaging practices for teeth
just as you would with your natural pearly whites.

The durability and longevity of your dental veneers will depend on how well you care for your
teeth and proper application of the veneers, so finding an experienced dentist is important [1].
Visiting your dentist for checkups and professional cleanings can also help you extend the life of
your veneers by keeping your smile strong and healthy and evaluating your veneers for
damage.

Dental veneers may be the right choice for your smile if you have numerous issues with your
teeth but don’t want to invest in separate cosmetic treatments. You can schedule a
consultation with your dentist to learn if dental veneers are the best treatment option to get
you the smile you’ve always wanted!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3652364/

The post How Durable Are Dental Veneers, and How Long Do They Last? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

What can cause crooked teeth in a person? The following are the four major causes of
misaligned teeth.

Genetics

Genetics is the most common cause of crooked teeth in an individual. Traits such as tooth size
and jaw size are inherited from our parents, which can cause crowded teeth and jaw
misalignment.

For example, if you have large teeth but a small mouth, crooked teeth are likely. Unfortunately,
we can’t change our genes, so crooked teeth that result from genetics can’t be prevented, but
they can be dealt with efficiently, especially if early orthodontic intervention is possible.

Lifestyle

Besides genetics, there are lifestyle factors that can cause crooked teeth. These factors include:

 Thumb Sucking. Thumb sucking is normal for babies and toddlers, but if the habit is
allowed to continue as your child grows (typically past the age of five), it could result the
development of crooked teeth.

 Mouth Breathing. Mouth breathing is a bad habit that is sometimes present in children.
Unfortunately, persistent mouth breathing can cause jaw development issues and
therefore crooked teeth.

 Tongue Trust. Tongue trust happens when the tongue sticks out through the incisors.
Most infants exhibit tongue thrust, but the habit typically stops around the age of six
months. If tongue thrust continues, it can lead to crooked teeth.

By helping your child to overcome thumb sucking, tongue thrust, and mouth breathing, you can
help prevent the possibility of crooked teeth.

Injury

An injury can move the teeth out of place, resulting in sometimes extreme cases of crooked
teeth. If there are lost teeth that result from an injury that are not replaced, the jaw will
compensate for this loss by shifting teeth and losing bone.

A jaw or facial injury can result in teeth that are out of alignment and may need orthodontia or
the proper tooth replacements to fix.

Damaged Baby Teeth

Baby teeth directly impact the health of permanent teeth. If baby teeth are lost due to decay or
trauma, the placement of the adult teeth can become compromised. This can cause them to
erupt through the gumline at unpredictable angles. Baby teeth help guide permanent teeth into
place, so keeping these teeth healthy is essential.

Baby teeth that are lost or impacted by decay can even affect permanent teeth. Bacteria from
tooth decay on the baby teeth can spread to the tooth enamel on the permanent teeth and
cause damage before these teeth even erupt through the gumline. Baby teeth play a vital role
in the formation of healthy adult teeth!

No matter what the cause of your crooked teeth is, you can always receive treatment. Typically,
crooked teeth are able to be moved into place with orthodontia. With many treatment options
for orthodontics today, you can straighten your crooked teeth and have a beautiful smile
sooner than you think!

The post What Are the Major Causes of Crooked Teeth? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Thumb sucking is usually harmful if it persists beyond the ages of 5-6 years. What long-term
impacts is your child at risk for if they continue sucking their thumb?

An Improper Bite

Perhaps the most obvious effect of prolonged thumb sucking is a misaligned bite, also called a
malocclusion. Thumb sucking has the potential to cause an overbite, underbite, or an open bite
due to shifting teeth from the presence of the thumb being in the mouth.

The pressure of the thumb can cause teeth to shift outward and upward, leading to protruding
teeth or teeth that don’t touch when the mouth is closed. An improper bite normally requires
orthodontics to fix and may cause discomfort to your child when they speak, chew, or even
when the jaw is at rest.

Speech Problems

Speech problems such as a lisp or trouble pronouncing certain words can happen as a result of
thumb sucking. This is because constant thumb sucking can affect the development of your
child’s jaw, leading to a problem that could even require surgery to fix.

Thumb sucking may also prolong tongue thrust, a condition that infants grow out of once they
begin eating solid foods. Tongue thrust occurs when the tongue protrudes through the front
teeth, and can cause crooked teeth or a malocclusion.

Increased Risk of Infections

Children who suck their thumbs well into and beyond their toddler years are at greater risk for
infections due to constantly exposing the mouth to bacteria. These children are typically
introduced to antibiotics earlier than children who cease the thumb sucking habit.

If your child is old enough, explain to them that sucking their thumb can put them at risk for getting sick, something that will make you both feel bad!

How Can You Get Your Child to Stop?

It’s important that your child eventually stops sucking his or her thumb, but perhaps even more
important is how you go about discouraging this bad habit.

Be gentle when encouraging your child not to suck their thumb. They should be old enough to
understand the reasons why this habit is harmful. You can also try distracting them when they
begin to suck their thumb to help break the habit.

Remember, this is a behavior typically done under stress, so minimizing stress in your child’s life
may help prevent them from feeling the need to suck their thumb.

Is your child still sucking their thumb? This habit has long-term consequences for children if it’s
allowed to continue past the age of 5. You can also talk with your dentist about clever ways to
get your child to stop sucking their thumb if the habit proves difficult to break. Consider these
long-term impacts of thumb sucking when trying to get your child to stop!

The post The Long-Term Impacts of Thumb Sucking appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.