First dental visit

Thumb sucking is a soothing, reflexive behavior, a natural reflex for infants and young children and most children stop on their own. It begins in the womb, before birth. Infants and babies often continue this relaxing practice after birth, which often helps to soothe them into sleep.

Effects of thumb sucking on your child’s teeth and mouth

Parents often worry about the effects of what thumb sucking will mean for your child. When a child continues sucking after they have teeth, it can lead to "crooked" teeth and bite problems ,affecting both baby teeth and permanent teeth.

 

Thumb sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth, causing the upper front teeth to tip outward and the upper jaw to narrow in the back. The roof of the mouth can also see changes due to this behavior, that makes intervention necessary in some cases to ensure a child is still able to chew properly.

Although, some of this can be fixed with braces, it can also cause speech problems such as a lisp that may need to be corrected in therapy. Below you will find a few ways thumb sucking affects your child's teeth.

 

Ways thumb sucking can affect your child’s teeth

• Thumb sucking and the impact it will cause to a child’s alignment-When your child’s teeth grow in, it is normal for the upper teeth to overlap the lower teeth. However, a child’s thumb puts extra pressure on the gums and it can keep the teeth from erupting in the right position for a proper bite.

 

• How thumb sucking affects a child's bite- An open bite is a common problem when it comes to thumb-suckers. This is when the upper teeth do not cover the lower teeth when child is biting down. Another common problem is a posterior crossbite. This is caused by a narrow palate because of the pressure created by the habit. When a crossbite is present the outer part of the upper molars bite in the center of the lowers.

 

•  Speech issues -Thumb sucking can cause speech issues. Lisp is another problem that children may encounter and find difficult to overcome.

 

• Tongue thrusting - When a child suck their thumb for an extended period of time, he/she can develop a secondary habit call tongue thrusting. The child move the tongue forward when swallowing and speaking. Even after stopping thumb sucking, a child will continue with this habit creating long term speech problems, swallowing difficulties and abnormal development of the jaw.

 

According to the American Dental Association, most children stop thumb-sucking somewhere between 2 and 4 years of age or by the time the permanent teeth are ready to erupt. At this time it could be to late.

 

Encouraging ways to approach your child to stop thumb sucking

• Use positive reinforcement: praise your child or provide a small reward such as, an extra bedtime story, a trip to the park or placing stickers on a calendar to record the days when your child successfully avoids thumb sucking.
• Offer gentle reminders
• Focus on praising your child when they are not thumb-sucking
• Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.
• For an older child, involve him or her in choosing their method of stopping.
• Come up with creative ways to help your child understand that he is growing up and one day wont suck his thumb anymore.

If your concerned about the effect of thumb-sucking on your child's teeth. At little smiles we are here to help and answer any of your concerns.

 

What to do if nothing works?

Don't worry! For some children, thumb sucking is an incredibly difficult habit to break. Try not to worry, if putting too much pressure on your child to stop thumb sucking it could only delay the process.

 

In some occasions a appliance called habit breaker is necessary to stop a thumb or finger sucking habit. This is a passive appliance that is placed on the roof the mouth that blocks their fingers from being placed on the palate. Most of the time, a fix appliance (glue to the back molars) requires little maintenance. The habit breaker is placed for a minimum of 3 months. If you have any questions, please give us a call, and we can determine if a habit breaker is right for your child.

Parent’s time to get creative “bye-bye pacifier”

Did you know that, pacifiers can affect your child's teeth essentially the same way as sucking fingers and thumbs? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a pacifier over a thumb to comfort new babies since a pacifier is easier to break at an earlier age.

 

At little smiles, we believe frequent pacifier use over a longer period of time can affect the way a child’s teeth bite together and the growth of the jaw. The upper teeth may tip outward or become crooked and other changes in tooth position or jaw alignment could occur. The earlier a child can stop a sucking habit, the less chance there is that it will lead to orthodontic problems down the road.

 

What should you do if your child wont give up their pacifier?

We suggest our parent's find out what causes your child to cry out for their binky. Once you have identified which situations triggers your child's desire for a pacifier, be ready to replace it with comfort and reassurance. It can be helpful to swap out the pacifier with a transitional object such as a cuddly doll or stuffed toy. Additionally, distracting your child with a fun activity can help take their mind off the desired Binky. Be sure to offer positive reinforcement and praise when your child sleeps through the night or self-soothes without his or her pacifier.

Another idea is to take your child and pacifier to the store to pick out a new toy to replace their pacifier. There are many experienced store clerks who are used to this trick and are willing to play along when your child “trades in” the pacifier for a new toy of her choosing. We have spoken with other parents that have thrown a “Goodbye Binky” party, set out the pacifier for the Binky Fairy or donated the Binky to children who need it.  Pretty creative!

Summary:

Positive approach and focus on praising your child when thumb sucking or weening off your child's binky (pacifier) is key to  breaking habits. At little smiles we can assist in encouraging children to stop a sucking habit and discuss each child's particular situation.  We can explain the effects on teeth to your child in an appropriate manner during your regular check-ups. This, along with support from parents and caregivers, helps many children quit their thumb-sucking or pacifier habits.

If you have any questions please feel free to call us or request an appointment online.

Waterlase Dentistry is an advanced form of dental treatment that carries a number of important benefits for our patients. Waterlase is the use of laser energy, combined with a spray of water, a process called Hydro Photonics, to perform a wide range of dental procedures more comfortably for your child. With many procedures, it’s possible to use very little or no anesthetic at all.

 

Why choose Waterlase Dentistry? less pain, faster recovery

As pediatric dentist, providing primary and comprehensive dental treatment for infants, children, teens and special care patients is of utmost importance. With antsy, impatient young patients in the chair Waterlase dentistry will equip with the ability to deliver comfortable, quick, minimally invasive dentistry.

 

 

Tongue-Tie Corrected with Simple Laser Procedure

In recent times, there has been increased interest about the topic of tongue tie and breastfeeding. With so much talk and conflicting information about it, it’s no wonder many mothers feel overwhelmed and confused about how tongue tie may relate to any breastfeeding issues she may be experiencing. With more information, you can work out what it may mean for your breastfeeding relationship with your baby. Little Smiles is here to help you understanding the meaning of Tongue-Tie and what is to have a simple laser procedure.

Ankyloglossia (Tongue-tie) refers to a congenitally short lingual frenulum (the little piece of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of your mouth). Tongue-tie is a thickened, tightened, or shortened frenum which limits movement of the tongue. In infants, this restriction of movement is a concern, because it can impede nursing or bottle feeding. This condition decreases the mobility of the tongue and can seriously impact a baby's ability to breast feed and may cause speech issue later in life.

In severe situations, where it is impacting the child's ability to eat, treatment with a frenectomy is necessary to allow for proper nutrition through breast-feeding. With a simple laser procedure the problem can be solved quickly and comfortably for the baby (and the parents!)

Signs that a baby's tongue-tie is causing problems with breastfeeding

• Painful breast-feeding with nipple pain and possible damage
• Nipples that look flat after breast-feeding
• Baby loses suction while feeding and sucks in air
• Baby makes clicking sound when feeding
• Failure to thrive and gain weight even with normal amount of feeding
• Baby cannot poke his tongue out beyond his gum or lips
• Baby's tongue cannot move sideways
• Heart-shaped or notched tip of the tongue
• Recurrent blocked ducts or mastitis (inflammation of the breast)

 

Soft Tissue Surgery Made Simple

The differences between a laser and a scalpel when used for oral surgical procedures is stark(abrupt). While scalpels have a long list of physiological and psychological effects on the patient, Waterlase laser dentistry enables you to quickly cut, sculpt or modify soft tissue when needed.

During many procedures, managing the soft tissue can be problematic if it begins to bleed or respond unpredictably. With Waterlase dentistry lasers, achieving hemostasis and controlling the surgical zone are as easy as tapping a pre-set on the laser’s touch screen. Most importantly, laser soft tissue surgery minimizes pain, discomfort, and anxiety.

For children, a visit to the dentist can be an overwhelming experience. At Little Smiles, we want your child to feel relaxed and comfortable from beginning to end, and laser soft tissue surgery is another procedure we offer to ensure that your child goes through a speedy recovery with minimal pain.

 

Check out below, our laser assisted soft tissue surgery

Is Waterlase Safe?

Waterlase is cleared for numerous dental applications that can be performed on both pediatric and adult patients. One of the Waterlase’s greatest strengths is how precise it is!

Summary:

If you’re interested in WaterLase laser dentistry for you child, Dr. Cruz or Dr. Bolivar will examine your child and come up with an accurate diagnosis. If WaterLase is the best treatment option, we will walk you through everything you need to know to help you make a confident decision about your child’s smile. For more questions you can call and speak directly to us!

 

When a child gets used to seeing the dentist regularly, visiting becomes easy and fun. The experience develops into a routine that lasts over a life time. You can give your child the gift of a good dental habit for their first birthday.

First Dentist visit by the first Birthday, a life time of benefits.

Sometimes a new born baby needs to see a dentist for a specific reason, like neonatal teeth, lactation problem related to tongue tie or tissue lessons. But if everything is ok and there are no concerns, your children should see a dentist by their first birthday. First, we can make sure that their dental/facial growth is going well. You can learn good oral hygiene techniques and nutritional advice that can help maintain an optimal oral health. At the same time your child will learn benefits that will last a lifetime from an early age.

In the beginning it can be a bit scary, but after the first couple of visits, just for a checkup, your child will learn to trust the dentist, the staff, and most importantly, trust the whole experience. With an early check up, small problems can be addressed before they become a bigger issue. That is what most people are afraid of.

We want this check up to take place before any major dental work is needed. We want your child to get used to the dental environment, so it is not a big deal to visit again and have dental treatment done. If a dental emergency ever happens, the dentist is well known by now, so seeing the dentist does not stress your child . The actual dental appointment becomes fun, even if it is more than just a check up.

How dental treatments could be fun for your children.

Technology and advancements in dental health has helped pediatric dental care to be a more pleasant experience for children. In a Pediatric Dental practice, the dentists main focus is to give your children a great experience. Having all the necessary tools for the visit to go smoothly is a big part of it.

Things that help at a Pediatric Dental setting:

• Dentist that specializes in pediatric care
• Staff trained in pediatric care
• TV on ceiling while they get treatment
• Video games for entertainment
• Inviting environment
• Quick appointments
• Easy fluoride treatment
• Almost painless local anesthesia
• Laser surgeries
• Better and quicker materials to work with

When all of this is combined in one setting, the experience becomes fun. This type of exposure to an easier dental care provides an opportunity that the whole family can benefit from.

Your children's early dental appointment can make a difference in the whole family.

Nowadays pediatric dental offices are welcoming and most enjoy having the family around while the child is being seen. This help smaller siblings learn and get more comfortable with a dental environment . This healthy new experience helps the whole family develop dental habits that will follow them for the rest of their life.

Benefits to the family:

• Habit of brushing and flossing
• More comfortable on dental setup
• Built a routine of 6 months follow up.
• Help parents erase bad memories from childhood

Because of previous experiences and bad childhood memories, some adults have apprehensive behaviors when it comes to the dentist. Some of these anxieties are transferred to the child without it being noticed. But we can change this for your family for generations to come, with an early visit to the dentist.

Summary:

Most children should have a dental exam by their first birthday. This will give your child and family a more trustable approach to the dental experience. Make this happen for your family. Make your child’s first appointment today.