Was your last visit to the dentist an adventure or an ordeal? At Hines Little Smiles, we specialize in fun. We understand how important it is to make that great first impression on your child, so they look forward to returning. Early intervention is important for your infant's dental health, and we want to be your top choice for pediatric dentistry in the Columbus area. That's why we're here to help you every step of the way, including providing answers to some of your most-frequently asked questions.
As the parent of a newborn, infant, or toddler, you want to be there to provide the utmost comfort. You want your baby to be happy and content, and often, this means using a pacifier. Babies enjoy pacifiers because they encourage sucking, an activity they enjoyed in the womb. For many infants, the action of sucking is calming. It allows baby to self-soothe, to relax, and to distract from outside stimulation. These are all good things that can make your child feel protected and safe.
However, overuse of a pacifier can impact your baby's oral health later in life, so it's good to know when to wean it away. Most dental professionals recommend losing the paci no later than age three because there's a connection between pacifiers and dental development. There's also a connection between thumb-sucking and dental development. Your pediatric dentist in New Albany can tell you more.
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, sucking for a prolonged period may exert too much of the wrong pressure on your baby's gums and jaw. Unfortunately, though it may feel soothing in the moment, prolonged pacifier use can cause pricey dental problems as your child develops. These include:
Extensive use of a pacifier could also cause your infant to have an increased risk of ear infection. This happens when the sucking action causes a pressure imbalance in the Eustachian tube, allowing bacteria to travel more easily from the throat to the middle ear.
In infants, pacifier use is less worrisome. But as your infant develops into a toddler and still shows a dependency on sucking either a pacifier or their thumb, it's a good idea to talk with a specialist in pediatric dentistry. This is the person who can help your child make the transition away from sucking as a form of self-soothing.
Yes. Thumb-sucking can also influence the way your child's teeth, gums, and palate develop. It may result in several dental issues, including:
When a child consistently sucks their thumb, they can actually change the shape of the roof of their mouth, making it higher and more narrow than it should be. This can cause increased stress on the jaw, which may then lead to changes in facial structure. It's a sort of chain reaction that may grow worse over time.
If you're worried that your toddler is still too connected to their thumb or pacifier, now is the time to schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist in Columbus or New Albany. Once established, it's important to keep regular appointments as your child grows, so your dentist can stay abreast of any unusual developments.
Don't worry. Even if your pediatric dentist has noticed issues with your child's teeth or bite, they have a vast amount of resources at their disposal for setting things right. In many instances, this may mean orthodontia, such as braces or clear aligners. Or, your dentist might recommend a palate expander or a bite block. Treatments like these help to realign teeth and correct your child's bite, which is the way their upper and lower teeth fit together.
The important thing to remember is that there is always a way to correct pacifier and thumb-sucking effects. Your first line of defense is finding a pediatric dentist you trust and who works well with your child. In the Columbus and New Albany areas, we recommend Hines Little Smiles.
At Hines Little Smiles, we understand children's oral habits. Additionally, our team is friendly and kid-oriented. We love seeing our tiniest patients smile, and we're dedicated to improving those smiles as your little one grows.
Unlike bigger, less-personalized practices, at Hines Little Smiles, we take time to get to know you, your child, and your family. We make every trip to the dentist an exciting adventure, not an ordeal. While we'll get to the root of your child's dental issues, it's always our goal to make things fun. Between Dr. Mitzi, Dr. Michael, and Dr. Juliette, your child will receive top-notch dental care in a relaxed environment, which they'll enjoy returning to.
If you're searching for the right pediatric dentist in New Albany or Columbus, we encourage you to call Hines Little Smiles today to schedule a consultation with one of our highly trained and adventurous clinicians.
Call 614-475-5439 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.
