The main cause of an underbite is usually genetic and not something that can be prevented,
although in rarer cases thumb sucking, mouth breathing, or prolonged bottle feeding in
childhood can have the potential to cause an underbite.

Fortunately, there are several options to effectively treat your underbite so that you can have a
pain-free, healthy smile. What are your treatment options for an underbite?

Orthodontics

Your individual case will be unique, but in many instances, orthodontics can work to correct an
underbite. Your treatment options will include traditional braces along with other options such
as Invisalign in the event that you don’t want visible braces.

Only a professional orthodontist can tell you if you qualify for orthodontic treatment for an underbite, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist or ask for a referral from your dentist to discover your underbite treatment choices through orthodontics.

Upper Jaw Expander

An upper jaw expander is a wire device that is fitted into your mouth. This device is not
removable during the time that it’s worn, but is intended to be adjusted daily at home. An
upper jaw expander will actually help your upper jaw to become wider and therefore alleviate
your underbite.

In many cases, people who suffer from underbites will have to wear the device for about a
year’s time and then wear a retainer afterward to prevent teeth shifting. This device is typically
managed by your orthodontist, so he or she can let you know more about what to expect!

Headgear

Headgear is a device that typically attaches to the molars in your mouth and includes a band
that wraps around the head or neck. Headgear has many applications in orthodontics, including
pulling the upper jaw back in a position called a “reverse pull”.

Headgear can accelerate orthodontic treatment time and can help effectively alleviate both the
appearance and symptoms of your underbite. Headgear is typically only worn at night and for
no more than 12 hours a day, so ask your orthodontist if headgear may be able to help your
treatment for your underbite.

Surgery

In rare cases, you may need to have jaw surgery to correct your underbite. During this
procedure, an oral surgeon will modify the bone in your jaw to reposition the lower jaw farther
back. For the majority of patients, surgery will not be necessary. However, in extreme cases,
surgery may be the most direct and beneficial option to fully correct an underbite.

Do you suffer from an underbite that’s hindering your smile’s function and appearance?
Underbites can be successfully treated, in many cases by an orthodontist. Schedule an
appointment with your dentist today to discuss your possibilities and, if necessary, get a
referral to a trusted orthodontist to help treat your underbite!

The post What Are Treatment Options to Correct My Underbite? 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.