Did you know February is known for more than just Valentine’s day? Besides tasty candy and beautiful flowers, it is also National Children’s Dental Health Month. Although you might think your child’s oral hygiene habits and routine dental visits are enough, there are a few bad habits that can leave a lasting mark on their smile, like thumb-sucking. Your pediatric dentist has the tips you need to break the habit to nurture a healthy and attractive smile.
Thumb-Sucking and Pacifiers
Infants are born with the need to suck because it’s a reflex that’s vital to their nutrition; however, many children use non-nutritional alternatives, like their fingers, thumbs, or pacifiers. It can help your child self-soothe to help them learn to regulate their emotions. Research shows it can also lessen SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Although pacifiers and thumb-sucking have their benefits, the habits can cause lasting consequences for your child’s smile.
Thumb-Sucking and Dental Health
Your children’s dentist will recommend your child stop sucking habits between the ages of 2 to 4 to prevent causing damage to their developing smile. Prolonged thumb and finger-sucking can change the shape of their mouth, which can alter the alignment of their teeth. Depending on the severity, it can impact their speech, breathing, and oral functions. If the habit isn’t resolved before the adult teeth erupt, your child may need serious orthodontic intervention.
How to Stop Thumb-Suckers
Thumb-sucking can be a hard habit to break, but there are a few ways to make the process easier for both you and your child:
- Use positive reinforcement whenever you notice your child trying to stop the sucking.
- Use small rewards, like a special teddy bear that they can have only when they don’t suck on their thumb.
- Create a sticker chart to establish goals. Your child can place a sticker on the chart when going a certain amount of time without thumb-sucking.
- Keep their hands busy to distract them from thumb-sucking.
If your child is having difficulty stopping, their pediatric dentist may recommend a palatal crib or rake. The devices are often only needed for a few months.
How to Wean Pacifiers
Thankfully, weaning from pacifiers is a little easier than breaking the habit of thumb-sucking using a few simple tips:
- Poke a hole in the nipple to change the sucking sensation, discouraging your child from wanting it.
- Ask your child if they’d like to donate their pacifier to another baby to help them let go of it.
- Attach the pacifier to a stuffed animal, so they can see it but can’t use it.
- Tell your child you’ve misplaced the pacifier.
Invest in a Healthy Smile
Don’t let thumb-sucking and pacifiers harm your child’s smile. You can help ensure their teeth and gums have everything they need to thrive with the right habits at home.
About Dr. Vince Fava
Dr. Fava earned his dental degree from the University of Toronto. He has completed advanced training in periodontology and many other specialties to provide services for patients of all ages. If it’s time for your child’s next preventive visit, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
Simrit has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She started her career with Assisting/Treatment co-ordinating and then moved on to becoming the Hygiene Co Ordinator in 2005. In 2012 she took on a new role as the Marketing Director. Though she loved being the Marketing Director, in 2015 she became the Office Manager of Torbram Dental. She completed her Level 1 Dental Assisting program with Career Canada in 1996 and then went on to complete her Level II Dental Assisting Diploma with Southwestern Medix in 1999. That is when she received NDAEB Certification. Simrit has been and still is an active member of the Ontario Dental Assistants Association since 2000. She enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and two kids and loves to explore new restaurants, especially high-tea venues.
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Jessica, one of our receptionists, is one of the smiling faces you see when you arrive at the office. She graduated with honours from Medix College with a diploma as a Level 2 Dental Assistant. When she is not happily helping our patients, Jessica enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, going to church on Sunday mornings, gardening and going on hikes.
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Naudia has been working at Torbram Dental for many years and is a valued member of our administrative team: as a dental receptionist and in our marketing team . She graduated from Everest College with honours level 1 and 2, with a diploma in Dental Assisting. Naudia is always there for our patients, making sure that they receive the care and attention they deserve. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and indulging in civil court TV shows.
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Ramandeep has been a part of Torbram Dental for the past 10 years as certified dental assistant. She obtained her level 1 certification from Everest college in Brampton in 2013, and then her level 2 certification in 2014 from Medix college. Her career path through the clinic has been recognized by staff at all levels who admire her work ethic and dedication to million dollar smiles. In her spare time, Ramandeep enjoys cooking and gardening, and spending time with her husband and 2 kids.
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Sana is a valued member of our dental hygiene team. In 2008 she completed her education at George Brown in Dental Assisting and in 2016 she earned her diploma in Dental Hygiene from the Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Sciences. Sana has been working in dentistry since 2008 and enjoys taking care of our patients and helping them with their oral health. She is married and is busy with her 2 young children. In her spare time, Sana enjoys going out with the family, trying out new places to eat and is looking forward to travelling with them in the future.
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Sanaria has been working at Torbram Dental for many years as a valued member of our Dental Assisting Team. She completed her level 2 dental assisting certification and previously obtained a degree in Education and worked as a quality control officer in the pharmaceutical industry. When not at work Sanaria loves to bake and cook. She also loves story time and enjoying the outdoors with her children. She always sees the positive side of life, believes that nothing is impossible and that if you set a goal and work at it, that you will make your dreams come true.
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Carrie has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She graduated from George Brown College in 1998 with a Dental Assistant Diploma and continued to further her education by completing a Dental Hygiene Diploma in 2001 at Durham College. Carrie is a highly trained and experienced Registered Dental Hygienist who continues to learn and grow by updating her knowledge to provide her clients with the best Oral Health Care techniques and information. Carrie is passionate about Dentistry and is known for her gentle and compassionate manner. She feels strongly about building lasting relationships and trust with her clients to help them understand that good Oral Health leads to good Overall Health. Carrie enjoys travelling, dabbling in decorating and a good Netflix series in her time off. Carrie resides in Halton Hills with her husband and two children.
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Daniela's interest in Dentistry began in Gr.6 when she wrote a speech entitled "My Life as a Toothbrush".
A Registered Dental Hygienist with 22 years of clinical experience, Daniela still has a great passion for her career. The most rewarding aspect for her is building lasting relationships with her patients, and seeing them through to a healthier smile.
Her thorough yet gentle touch will ensure a comfortable visit every time.
Daniela is a total Foodie and loves to cook and enjoys all types of cuisines. She loves Florida, Cruises, organizing things, and most of all spending time with family and friends.
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Stephanie Enjoys getting to know all new patients at Torbram Dental and catching up with long standing Patients. Stephanie enjoys spending quality time with her family. One of her favorite things to do with her daughter is teach and play the piano. Stephanie likes going on walks with her husband and enjoys spending as much time with him as he is an Active Member of the Canadian Army. On Sundays, Stephanie enjoys going to Church and looks forward to Sunday Dinner with her entire family. Stephanie's Favorite thing to do to start her day right is head to her local Starbucks and Grab her favorite drink, an iced black tea with light lemonade on warm days and a blonde vanilla latte on those cold winter days.
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