Prolonged pacifier use can wreak havoc on the look and underlying health of your child’s smile, but a pediatric dentist in Frisco TX can help. Although you will want your child to feel calm and relaxed at all times, allowing your child to use the pacifier or suck on their thumbs after the age of 2 can damage their teeth. Using this guide and the help of your dentist, you can reduce the dental dangers of extended pacifier use.
Dangers
Young children who use their pacifier after the age of 2 may experience the following issues with their smiles:
• Bite Misalignments – Your child may develop overbites, underbites, and crossbites. These misalignments are not only unappealing, but they can also decrease their ability to speak and chew. Without correcting these bite …show more content…
After their nightly bath or shower, allow them to lie in bed listening to relaxing music or read them a short story to help them fall asleep. In addition, give them a soft toy or blanket to cuddle in bed with, but make sure they do not use this item to chew on.
Rewarding your child for each day they do not use their pacifier is also beneficial. Children naturally want to make their parents happy, so praising them with a small reward is smart.
Treatments
If your child has already damaged their teeth from extended use of their pacifier, orthodontic treatment may be necessary. Palatal expanders are effective options for correcting misaligned bites in children of all ages.
A pediatric dentist in Frisco TX can apply fluoride to your child’s teeth if the pacifier use has caused early tooth decay. Fluoride will strengthen your child’s teeth, preventing erosion of the enamel and future tooth decay.
If your child has used their pacifier or sucked their thumbs and fingers after the age of 2, contact Accent Dental at (972) 335-7666 for professional help by your pediatric dentist in Frisco
Dangers
Young children who use their pacifier after the age of 2 may experience the following issues with their smiles:
• Bite Misalignments – Your child may develop overbites, underbites, and crossbites. These misalignments are not only unappealing, but they can also decrease their ability to speak and chew. Without correcting these bite …show more content…
After their nightly bath or shower, allow them to lie in bed listening to relaxing music or read them a short story to help them fall asleep. In addition, give them a soft toy or blanket to cuddle in bed with, but make sure they do not use this item to chew on.
Rewarding your child for each day they do not use their pacifier is also beneficial. Children naturally want to make their parents happy, so praising them with a small reward is smart.
Treatments
If your child has already damaged their teeth from extended use of their pacifier, orthodontic treatment may be necessary. Palatal expanders are effective options for correcting misaligned bites in children of all ages.
A pediatric dentist in Frisco TX can apply fluoride to your child’s teeth if the pacifier use has caused early tooth decay. Fluoride will strengthen your child’s teeth, preventing erosion of the enamel and future tooth decay.
If your child has used their pacifier or sucked their thumbs and fingers after the age of 2, contact Accent Dental at (972) 335-7666 for professional help by your pediatric dentist in Frisco