Thumb Sucking and My Child's Teeth

"Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for children. Sucking on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects may make babies feel secure and happy and help them learn about their world.   Young children may also suck to soothe themselves and help them fall asleep." - ADA

It may look darling, the sweet, peaceful look of a child sucking their thumb but it can cause severe problems if allowed to continue through the years.   

Depending on how the thumb or fingers are placed in the mouth while sucking on them, the damage can be quite severe.   

What can you do to help your child stop sucking their thumb?

1) Praise your child when they are not sucking their thumb or fingers

2) Focus on correcting the cause of any anxiety that could be leading to thumb sucking

3) STOP or similar nail polish thumb sucking deterrent

4) Your child's dentist and/or orthodontist have additional measures that can be taken to stop this habit.

Don't Lose Your Dental Benefits

"When it comes to dental benefit plans, millions of people each year are ringing in the New Year leaving money on the table. According to the National Association of Dental Plans, only 2.8% of people with PPO dental plan participants reached or exceeded their plans annual maximum." - ADA

Are you one of the 97.2% that lets your hard-earned dental dollars go to waste?   Here is some information that you need to keep in mind so that your dental benefits get kept by the insurance companies.

1) Know when you need to use your benefits by.   Is it Dec 31 or is it another day?   Call and find out the details of your plan.

2) Know what your coverage is.   It is good to know what is covered and what is not when you plan how you are going to use your insurance dollars.

3) Take advantage of the benefits before they run out.   Prevention is the most important!   Make sure that you get in for your dental exams.   Plan out your dental work with your provider so that you can get the most bang for your buck with your insurance.

4)  Schedule early.   Don't wait until the last month before you schedule your appointments.   Schedule early, that way you can be sure you can be seen before your benefits run out.

USE IT or LOSE IT (we don't want you to lose it)

Do you have Sensitive Teeth?

     There are many possible causes of sensitive teeth including: exposed tooth root, cracked tooth, cavity, exposed dentin, and large fillings.   

"Sensitive teeth can be treated. The type of treatment will depend on what is causing the sensitivity. Your dentist may suggest one of a variety of treatments:

• Desensitizing toothpaste. This contains compounds that help block transmission of sensation from the tooth surface to the nerve, and usually requires several applications before the sensitivity is reduced.
• Fluoride gel. An in-office technique which strengthens tooth enamel and reduces the transmission of sensations.
• A crown, inlay or bonding. These may be used to correct a flaw or decay that results in sensitivity.
• Surgical gum graft. If gum tissue has been lost from the root, this will protect the root and reduce sensitivity.
• Root canal. If sensitivity is severe and persistent and cannot be treated by other means, your dentist may recommend this treatment to eliminate the problem."*

     Of course, as you already know, an ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure.   Or in other words, take care of your teeth and you will lessen the chance of tooth sensitivity.   Check out this video from the ADA on sensitive teeth and when you are done take the quick quiz to test your knowledge.   

Click here for the Sensitive Teeth Quiz

*ADA Mouth Happy

Smiles for School

     It is back-to-school time again.   I can't believe that it has come around again so fast.   Personally, I love have the kids around.   It is hard to see them head back to school.   I know the house is cleaner and quieter but you can't help but miss kids' laughter and play.   If your kids have not headed back to school yet then they will quite soon.   Now is a perfect time to make sure they get a back-to-school dental check-up.  

     It makes it easy to remember when you always schedule a Dental exam and cleaning around the beginning of school.   You buy clothes, notebooks, backpacks, pencils, pens..oh ya, and schedule the kids' dental appointments.  

    To make this appointment easy on your kiddos here are 6 tips to do beforehand.

1

Plan Ahead

 Don't wait until the last minute and try to squish your exam in.   Plan ahead and get it on your calendar.   

2

Encourage Good Dental Habits at Home

Make sure that your kids are brushing properly and long enough, getting all the tooth surfaces.   Don't forget flossing and if age-appropriate, mouthwash.

3

Schedule For the Proper Time

You know your kids.  Do they have a harder time sitting quietly in the afternoon?   When are nap times?   Would a regular meal time be missed?   Keep these and other things relating to your child in mind when setting your appointment.

4

Don't Go Hungry

A light snack can help your child not feel hungry while they are visiting with the doctor.

5

Don't Get Anxious

Many people feel anxious about visiting the dentist.   Your children will sense your anxiety and become anxious themselves.   Be careful what you say to your child.   A comment about your anxiety or your fears will stress your child out.   Be positive and encouraging instead.

6

The Best Behaved First

If you are scheduling more than one child choose the child that can be the best example to the others to go first.   The other children will see that it is not that big of a deal.

Follow these simple hints to have an easier and more relaxed appointment.

5 Fun Facts About Your Teeth

Your mouth does the talking, but your teeth can tell a full story of your life. Find out how with these fascinating facts about your teeth.

The Top 7 Risk Factors for Oral Cancer

You know your dentist is looking for cavities during regular check-ups, but you may not realize your dentist can screen for cancer at the same time. It’s estimated that approximately 49,750 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer and cancers of the throat, tonsils and back of the tongue in 2017.

Regular visits to your dentist can help you detect such cancers early, and changing a few potentially harmful habits may help reduce your chances of developing them. Read on to find out the top risk factors.

Mouthguards

Imagine what it would be like if you suddenly lost one or two of your front teeth. Smiling, talking, eating—everything would suddenly be affected. Knowing how to prevent injuries to your mouth and face is especially important if you participate in organized sports or other recreational activities.

Mouthguards, also called mouth protectors, help cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. They typically cover the upper teeth and are a great way to protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining. “Your top teeth take the brunt of trauma because they stick out more,” says Dr. Thomas Long, a private practice dentist and team dentist for the Carolina Hurricanes professional hockey team. “Your bottom teeth are a little more protected because they are further back.”

When Should You Wear a Mouthguard?

When it comes to protecting your mouth, a mouthguard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age.

While collision and contact sports, such as boxing, are higher-risk sports for the mouth, any athlete may experience a dental injury in non-contact activities too, such as gymnastics and skating.

Types of Mouthguards

The best mouthguard is one that has been custom made for your mouth by your dentist. However, if you can’t afford a custom-made mouthguard, you should still wear a stock mouthguard or a boil-and-bite mouthguard from the drugstore. Learn more about each option:

• Custom-made: These are made by your dentist for you personally. They are more expensive than the other versions because they are individually created for fit and comfort.
• Boil and bite: These mouth protectors can be bought at many sporting goods stores and drugstores and may offer a better fit than stock mouth protectors. They are first softened in water (boiled), then inserted and allowed to adapt to the shape of your mouth. Always follow the manufacturers' instructions.  CustMbite MVP and CustMbite Pro are a boil and bite mouthguards that have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
• Stock: These are inexpensive and come pre-formed, ready to wear. Unfortunately, they often don’t fit very well. They can be bulky and can make breathing and talking difficult.

Protecting Your Braces

A properly fitted mouthguard may be especially important for people who wear braces or have fixed bridge work. A blow to the face could damage the brackets or other fixed orthodontic appliances. A mouthguard also provides a barrier between the braces and your cheek or lips, which will help you avoid injuries to your gums and cheeks. 

Talk to your dentist or orthodontist about selecting a mouthguard that will provide the right protection. Although some mouthguards only cover the upper teeth, your dentist or orthodontist may suggest that you use a mouthguard on the lower teeth if you have braces on these teeth. 

If you have a retainer or other removable appliance, do not wear it during any contact sports.

Mouthguard Care and Replacement

Talk to your dentist about when is the right time to replace your mouthguard, but replace it immediately if it shows sign of wear, is damaged or ill fitting. Teens and children may need to replace their mouthguards more often because their mouths are still growing and changing. 

• Between games, it’s important to keep your mouthguard clean and dry. Here are some tips for making sure your mouthguard is always ready to go:
• Rinse before and after each use or brush with a toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Regularly clean the mouthguard in cool, soapy water. Then, rinse it thoroughly.
• During your regular dental checkups, bring your mouthguard for an evaluation. Your dentist may also be able to give it a thorough cleaning.
• Store and transport the mouthguard in a sturdy container that has vents so it can dry and keep bacteria from growing.
• Never leave the mouthguard in the sun or in hot water.
• Check fit and for signs of wear and tear to see if it needs replacing.
• Some mouthguards have fallen victim to family pets, who see them as chew toys. Store your mouthguard and case somewhere your pet cannot get to it.

  ---------------------------------------------from MouthHealthy.org-------------------------------------------------------