The Long-Term Consequences of Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking on Your Baby’s Teeth

Many mothers, who are patients of Dr. Morse and Dr. Petracek, often ask about the potential long-term consequences of pacifier sucking or thumb sucking on their baby’s teeth.  Because sucking is a natural reflex for babies, it’s understandable that pacifiers and thumb sucking serve as such a comfort to many babies and children (and to tired, frustrated parents as well).  

Are pacifiers a problem for your baby?  The brief sucking habits of children during the first few years probably will not pose to be a problem later on in that child’s life.  However, a baby’s frequent and long-term sucking of pacifiers and thumbs can cause dental problems later on in life, as well as in their adult years.  Especially when children continue to suck after their baby teeth start to fall out, this long-term pacifier sucking or thumb sucking can result in the following consequences:

• The child’s top front teeth slant out.
• The child’s bottom front teeth tilt in.
• The child’s upper and lower jaws become misaligned.
• The roof of the child’s mouth develops narrow from side to side.
• Increases the child’s probability of developing sleep apnea as an adult.

In order to curb your child’s soothing habit of pacifier sucking or thumb sucking, the American Dental Association (ADA) suggests the following tips:

• Praise your child for not 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 the method of stopping.
• Your trusted family dentist, Dr. Morse or Dr. Petracek, can offer your child encouragement and explain what could happen to their teeth if they continue to keep sucking.

What if you have exhausted all your efforts and you just cannot stop or modify your baby’s pacifier sucking or thumb sucking behavior? Well, fortunately, there is still hope.  Dr. Morse and Dr. Petracek suggest that you use a NUK^® Pacifier.  NUK^® pacifiers are specially designed to promote your baby’s healthy oral development.  According to NUK^®, the brand offers the latest breakthrough with its “line-up of Advanced Orthodontic Pacifiers that support the natural development of jaws and teeth. This same brand also offers a line-up of developmental teethers that are specially designed to meet the needs of babies at each stage of teething and soothing.”  The NUK^® pacifiers are available for purchase at Walmart^®, Target^®, and Babies “R” Us^®.

“Thumbsucking.” The American Dental Association. < http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/thumbsucking.aspx>

NUK. All Products: Pacifiers. < http://www.nuk-usa.com/all-products/pacifiers.aspx>

Photo courtesy of www.handinhandparenting.org 

Photo courtesy of www.fiverealmoms.com                               

Tribute To KJ

Dr. Morse, Dr. Petracek, and the rest of our Team would like to honor the life and passing of one of our dear therapy dogs, KJ.  KJ provided eight years of tireless love, comfort, and cheer to so many patients and to all of our Team here in our dental practice, as well as to patients in Exempla’s hospital and hospice program.  KJ did a huge job in such a little “dog body”, and yet, he was able to deeply touch the hearts of everyone who knew him. 

KJ’s passing has left his mom, Susie Thiret, and his Yorkie brother, Beau, deeply saddened and mourning his loss.  Our Team wants to extend our deepest sympathies to the entire Thiret family for their grief and heartache during this time.   Our Team is also extremely grateful to Susie, for sharing KJ with us for these eight precious years.  He brought us all such love and joy!

Thank you, our beloved KJ, for blessing our practice for these eight years.  You were an angel on earth, and we will miss you beyond words!

April Is Oral Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that your dentist and dental hygienist are often the first line of defense against oral cancer? --- That’s right, your routine dental appointments can provide early detection for oral cancer.   Did you know that in the U.S. alone, 42,000 individuals will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year?  This is a staggering number considering that public awareness of oral cancer is still quite low.   Throughout the past 5 years, more and more individuals are being screened for this potentially treatable cancer, especially if caught early enough. 

So, you might be asking yourself, “What are the risk factors for oral cancer?”---Well, although smoking and tobacco use are the major risk factors, they are not the only ones. Studies show, the fastest growing segment of people diagnosed with oral cancer are young, nonsmoking individuals affected by the HPV virus.  Despite great strides with medical advances throughout the years, the medical community cannot stop this virus from spreading as of yet.  This is why it is so important to visit your dental hygienists and dentists on a routine basis.

This month, Dr. Morse, Dr. Petracek, and the rest of our Team are participating in the campaign to end oral cancer.  Our Team wants to raise our community’s awareness that early detection of oral cancer can save lives.    Therefore, one of our highly skilled hygienists, Aspen, will be offering FREE oral cancer screenings to ANYONE who wants one on Monday, April 29th.  If you are interested in scheduling your FREE oral cancer screening, all you need to do is call our office at 303-279-6929. Please call us today…you will be so glad you did!

Dr. Morse is one of 5280 Magazine's TOP DENTISTS

Our Team would like to congratulate Dr. Morse, who recently received 5280 Magazine’s 2013 TOP DENTIST honor! topDentists, LLC recently polled a random selection of Colorado ADA Recognized dentists and asked them to select the very best dental professionals.  For the sixth consecutive year, the list has been compiled and our very own Dr. Morse was included.  So once again, congratulations Dr. Morse for being recognized by your peers for your outstanding dental care and expertise.  Your Team is so proud of you!

Look 15 Years Younger Just By Going To The Dentist

Dr. Morse, Dr. Petracek, and the rest of our Team recently read an inspiring article in the monthly Bottom Line publication.  Did you know that just by going to the dentist, you can make yourself look 15 years younger? Yes, that is right.  As it turns out, the dental solutions of porcelain veneers, dental crowns, dental implants, night guards, new dental fillings, and/or new dentures can dramatically enhance a beautiful smile that you can be proud of in the years to come.   These dental solutions not only guard against the age related changes that eventually dull a smile; but, these dental procedures can help shed years off of your appearance.

According to Marvin A. Fier, a Diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry, the following common age-related problems can be fixed with these dental solutions:

• Problem-Worn Teeth

Years of chewing, grinding, or clinching can result in shorter teeth and a shorter distance from the chin to the nose.

Solution-Porcelain veneers or dental crowns can restore the youthful shape, size, and length of teeth.  As a result, your smile can be dramatically improved.

• Problem-Missing Teeth

Our teeth shape our smiles and cheek areas.  Because of this, just one missing tooth can result in a face with a “sunken” appearance.

Solution-Dental implants can serve as a strong new tooth that fully shapes your face.   As a result, your cheek areas are supported and appear fuller.

• Problem-Abnormal Jaw Position

Individuals, who suffer from temporomandibular disorder (TMD), can appear to have a distorted face simply because the jaw joint is affected.

Solution-A night guard, that your dentist custom fits to your specific teeth and jaw shape, can help your jaw move back to a normal position.   Your repositioned lower jaw can help relieve pain and restore a more normal appearance.

• Problem-Deteriorated Fillings

Older dental fillings can be made out of silver amalgam.  These fillings can darken and appear as gray shadows on your teeth.  These shadows result in an unattractive older looking smile.

Solution- Your dentist can replace your old filling with nonmetal, tooth colored fillings.    These new fillings restore your youthful appearance, and are much more pleasing to the eye cosmetically.

• Problem- Deteriorated Crowns

The original appearance of old crowns will not last forever.  As your gums recede with age, a thin gray line can appear between the crown and gum.

Solution-Your dentist can replace your old crown with a new crown that blends in better with a beautiful, youthful smile.

• Problem-Gummy Smile

As you age, changes in the health and shape of your gums can hurt your appearance and add years to your smile.

Solution-Your dentist can use a dental laser to sculpt your comes so they appear cosmetically in proportion to your teeth.

• Problem-Poor Denture Fit

Older partials or complete dentures can start to misalign and fit poorly as the gums and bone age over time.  Your muscles can exhaust themselves to keep your dentures in place, and as a result, more wrinkles can form around your mouth and even the appearance of jowls.

Solution- Make sure that you regularly visit your dentist so he/she can check the fit of your dentures.  If they fit poorly, it may be time for you to have them replaced so you can better maintain your youthful smile.

In conclusion, the aging process affects all of us.  Fortunately, with the skilled dental care of Dr. Morse and Dr. Petracek, you can optimize your youthful smile and appearance just by taking care of your mouth. 

Call  our office today at 303-279-6929 or click on Appointment Request to find out what dental solution is right for you.

Fier, Marvin, DDS, FASDA. “Look 15 Years Younger Just by Going to the Dentist.” Bottom Line/ Personal.  Volume 34, Number 5. March 1, 2013: page 9. Print.

Photo courtesy of lakeoconeedentalblog.com