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                               

Link Between Good Oral Health and Decreased Cancer Risk

As if there is not enough evidence already pointing to the overall health benefits of healthy teeth and gums, new research links an individual’s predominance of dental plaque to cancer.  That is right, good oral health care is now believed to decrease the risk of cancer and consequently, the risk of a premature death. 

Researchers in Stockholm, Sweden conducted this study over the course of 24 years.    Researchers tracked a group of 1,400 healthy adults starting around the ages of 30 to 40. Out of this group, 58 adults died prematurely of cancer.   Coincidentally, those who died of the cancer also had more dental plaque on their teeth and gums than those other adults who did not die prematurely.  Scientists determined that dental plaque increased an otherwise healthy adult’s risk for premature death due to cancer by 79%.

What is it about plaque that can be so harmful and potentially deadly to the human body?  According to Medical News Today, dental plaque is caused by “colonizing bacteria that attach to the surface of teeth and gums, leading to tooth decay and inflammation of the gum.” Many medical experts believe that the human body’s response to plaque can be systemic inflammatory in nature.  Based on this study’s findings, this systemic inflammatory response caused by plaque was speculated to result in cancer. 

So, what does this mean for you?  Study after study indicates that you must take care of your oral health in order to promote a healthy long life.  Your good oral hygiene can reduce your risk for not only a loss of teeth, but also other systemic health problems.  So, take care of your oral health now because you will be thankful that you did, especially in the long run.

Photo courtesy of koreanbeacon.com

“Dental Plaque Increases Cancer Death Rate.”  Medical News Today. 15 June 2012: n. pag. Web

Soder, Brigetta, PhD. “Dental Plaque and Cancer.” Bottom Line/ Health. Volume 26, Number 9. September 2012: page 1. Print.

Sports & Energy Drinks Damage Teeth

Many people know the damage that soda can have on their teeth; however, public awareness has increased about the damage that sports and energy drinks cause as well.  Dr. Morse, Dr. Petracek, and our Team posted the link to the following article from Medical News Today to better inform you about how you can protect your teeth against this damage.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/245027.php

Remember to include your dental health in your 2012 New Year's resolution!--It's worth it!

Dr. Morse and his Team would like to help you achieve your very best dental health this New Year.  That's right, your resolution to visit our office twice a year benefits your smile, dental health, and overall health.

According to bestdentistnews.com, “Regular dental visits and daily brushing and flossing are important because they help you keep bacteria and plaque from building up between your teeth and gums. Bacteria and plaque are what lie behind tooth decay and gum disease, but they have also been linked to problems in the rest of the body, too.”

So, your investment in your dental health is not just for a beautiful smile—it’s about your overall health and wellness.  Dr. Morse and his Team look forward taking care of you during your next visit to the dentist.