1. What should I do if my child sucks his thumb?

Thumb sucking is a behavior issue. The ultimate question is to determine why they are doing it. If the reason can be determined, once it is addressed, getting them to stop is much easier. It is important to get the child to stop as thumb sucking can cause major movement in developing teeth. This can lead to lengthy orthodontic treatment later on. There are several methods of treatment. The one I recommend most is consistent reminders while gently removing the thumb from the mouth. This takes a while, but seems to be the gentlest and most effective. If this just doesn t seem to work and tooth movement is noticed, a Dentist can make an appliance that is placed over the child s teeth, similar to a retainer that will prevent the thumb from entering the mouth. Over time, the child gets out of the habit, similar to the first method.


2. Are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child' s teeth?

They can be. During the first few years, it is of minor concern. This is the best time to break any pacifier or thumb sucking habits. As the child is getting ready to lose his/her baby teeth and get their permanent teeth, ending these habits becomes more critical. The bones and teeth are going through a lot of development at this phase and any habit that influences this development can lead to permanent changes that will need to be resolved- Mainly, open bites and splayed teeth.


3. How can a mom prevent decay caused by nursing?

The only way to prevent decay is to remove the source of infection. This applies to all areas, not just nursing. Plaque is the ultimate problem. The bacteria that cause tooth decay, called Strep Mutans, is passed on to our kids by close contact. Plaque is a biofilm that is made in our mouths all day every day. These bacteria love to live in this plaque biofilm. Daily removal is necessary. As infants, Moms and Dads can use a wet wash cloth or finger brush to gently remove this biofilm from the teeth and gums. Start this early in the child' s life. This will be the foundation of personal hygiene as the child grows. The other side of the equation is to limit the food the bacteria eat. These bacteria eat sugars from the food we eat. The type of sugar and frequency of intake both affect the decay process. Never allow a child to go to bed with a bottle that contains anything other than water. After nursing, as part of the post-meal bonding time, break out the wash cloth and massage the gums and any teeth that are there.This will remove any plaque and sugar in the mouth and stop the decay process.


4. How often does a child need to see the pediatric dentist?

Children can be seen for regular check ups by a pediatric dentist or a general/family dentist. Many general dentists will see children, but check with yours first. Regular check ups should be performed every six months. This allows reinforcement of good hygiene habits, removing of any build up on teeth and monitoring the developing teeth and bones for any abnormalities that might require orthodontic intervention. No matter how well we brush and floss, most people fail to remove 100% of the plaque daily. Over time this hardens into calculus or tarter. This build up can only be removed by a dentist or a registered dental hygienist.


5. What can parents do to protect their children' s teeth during sports?

The best protection is a custom mouth guard.These can be expensive, but they fit and protect better than anything over the counter. The "boil and bite" mouth guards do okay and are better than not wearing anything at all. Mouth guards should be worn for any sport in which contact with other players and/or equipment is a possibility. It is also a good idea to have a "save a tooth" kit on hand. This cost is just a few dollars and can be found in most pharmacy areas. I encourage all coaches to have one as part of their first aid kits. This kit is used in the event of a knocked out tooth. It contains a special solution that protects the tooth and allows the child to get to the dentist for re-implantation.