3 Tips to Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb

/0 Comments/in , /by

Thumb-sucking may be a normal habit for kids, but prolonging the activity can eventually narrow the palate. This creates a higher roof as the child’s mouth adapts to the shape of the thumb.

Thumb-sucking is largely linked to crossbites, where the upper teeth will sit outside the lower teeth, but can also lead to general teeth alignment issues. Here, we’ll look at what you can do to help your child stop sucking their thumb in Derby, KS to potentially reduce the odds of a future orthodontic treatment.

Tips for Habit Control

Here are a few tips to keep the issue under control:

  • Root cause: The first step is to identify when your child sucks their thumb. Usually, it’s due to stress or tiredness, so it’s important to start recognizing early signs before the behavior even starts.
  • Barriers: Anything from mittens to fidget spinners can create a barrier between your child and their thumb. Even a small impediment, like picking up their toys, can make a big difference in cutting back on thumb-sucking.
  • Praise: An orthodontist in Derby, KS can tell you that reward charts and praise can be good motivators for a child, especially if they’re used in conjunction with addressing the root cause of the issue. Small incentives don’t just give the child immediate gratification, it’s a reminder that you’re looking out for their well-being.

Talk to an Orthodontist in Derby, KS

If you think that your child may have already impacted their mouth, contact Derby Orthodontics to learn more about how Phase One treatments could help correct issues before your child reaches their teen years. The more you do now, the less you’ll have to do later!

What Signs Might Indicate Your Child Needs Early Phase One Treatment?

/0 Comments/in , /by

Has your child had their jaw and teeth checked for alignment issues or other problems? An orthodontic visit around age 7 or so allows us to determine if your child may need early “phase one” treatment. Our orthodontists in Derby, KS, at Derby Orthodontics offer this kind of care to help ensure proper jaw and teeth growth and development. We may recommend this treatment if your child has any of the following signs.

Not Enough Space for Permanent Teeth

Your child needs the right amount of room for their teeth to come in. We may use expanders or other appliances to create more space for these teeth and prevent crowding.

Upper and Lower Jaw Misalignment

If your child’s jaws don’t align properly, we can offer treatment to correct this. Addressing this issue earlier helps lower the risk of needing braces later on.

Tooth Positioning Causing Oral Hygiene Issues

Is the position of one or more teeth causing oral health problems? Early “phase one” treatment includes the use of oral appliances that help correct these positions.

Narrow Upper Jaw

This may cause your child to have an inadequate amount of space for their permanent teeth. We can address this during treatment with the right oral appliances.

Extra Teeth or Missing Teeth

Does your child have too many or not enough teeth? Whether they have missing or extra teeth, our orthodontists can treat this during phase one care.

Schedule an Orthodontic Consultation for Your Child!

Is your child due for their first orthodontic evaluation? Our team at Derby Orthodontics can provide this service and determine if your child would benefit from undergoing early “phase one” treatment in Derby, KS, to correct alignment or jaw issues.