Habit Appliances

Thumb-sucking, finger-sucking and tongue-thrusting habits are common among children. If left unaddressed, this can cause dental issues down the line like an open bite, overbite or crossbite. 

Usually, children can break these habits by themselves. However, if your child is still sucking their thumb or fingers by the age of three, professional help may be needed. 

Luckily, there are a variety of dental appliances available to help your child break the pattern of thumb-sucking and set them on the path to a healthy, aligned, properly developed mouth. If your child is struggling to overcome their thumb and finger-sucking habit, Martha Garzon Pediatric Dentistry is here to correct this before it begins to cause problems! 

By using a habit appliance, our team is able to kindly and gently prevent thumb-sucking–and prevent the need for potential orthodontic treatment.

What Types of Habit Appliances Are There?

It is important to implement a habit appliance in your child’s oral healthcare at an early age. The earlier an appliance is introduced, the less negative long-term effects will be sustained on the teeth and jaw. 

is here to help your child grow out of these habits and decide when the right time is to do so. There are two different types of reminders that can be placed in order to discourage thumb and finger sucking: removable and fixed. 

The habit appliance itself is a discrete, thin wire we bond to your child’s back molars behind their teeth. It is unnoticeable, doesn’t interfere with necessary activities like eating and the application process is painless. 

While it may take a few days for children to adjust to having a new device in their mouth, the ultimate benefit of breaking bad oral health habits is huge!

What Does Martha Garzon Pediatric Dentistry Recommend for Tongue Thrusts?

If your child struggles with properly placing their tongue while swallowing, they may need correction for a tongue thrust. Usually, when you swallow, your tongue rests on the roof of your mouth. For children with a tongue thrust, the tongue pushes back and puts pressure on the teeth. 

An example of problems caused by a tongue thrust is an anterior open bite where the back teeth touch but the front teeth do not or a posterior open bite where the side teeth don’t touch but the front do. 

When treating a tongue thrust, our team recommends using a tongue reminder. This tool trains the tongue to stay away from the teeth. In more intensive cases, we may refer you to a specialist called a myofunctional therapist for proper tongue placement training.

Here to Help the Children of Oklahoma City Metro & Surrounding Areas with Habit Appliances!

It is never too soon to call our helpful and caring team to address your child’s thumb or finger-sucking habits. For years we have helped children overcome these habits to protect their teeth and jaw and help them mature properly.

If you are ready to help your child overcome these habits or if you have any questions about our habit appliance offerings, please call us today at (405) 348-5757.