Thumbsucking and dummy sucking
Thumbsucking and dummy sucking are natural habits comforting to children and inspiring them a sense of security and warmth. But if either thumb or soother sucking is prolonged over the age of 18 – 24 months it may lead to orthodontic problems such as:
- Open - bite (a gap between the upper and lower front teeth)figure below and
- Crossbite (narrowing of the upper jaw).
Open – bite results in stammering at speech while crossbite may result in the dental crowding and "flaring out" of the upper front teeth.
Start helping your child abandon such habits at the age of 14 – 18 months. If your child continues thumb and dummy sucking beyond age 4 we may help by placing in his mouth a fixed oral appliance to prevent him from thumb or dummy sucking and help your child abandon such habit straight away. (left figure)
Bruxism
Many times young children grind their teeth during their sleep.We don't really know the aetiology of this habit and there is not much we can do about it. However if the child continues the habit after the eruption of the permanent teeth and these teeth have signs of attrition/flattening of their occlusal surfaces then a mouthquard can be fabricated and given to the child to wear during sleep.This mouthquard is a plastic transparent removable cover of the teeth which protects the enamel from wearing off. Note that most times as the child grows up and reach teenage years this habit slows down and may disappear completely.
Nail picking
The habit of the child to pick with his nail his/hers gums.This habit can cause recession (downward movement) of the gums and uncovering of the root with subsequent sensitivity and gingivitis of the affected area.
