The Dental Perils of Childhood Thumb-Sucking

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It’s normal for a child to suck their thumb to some extent. But when is it not OK? Let’s take a look at some of the things you, as a parent, need to know about your child’s thumb-sucking. Then anorthodontist in Laurel, MD, can help you with this if and when it becomes a problem.

The Dental Perils of Childhood Thumb-Sucking

Childhood thumb-sucking is OK until it’s not. So, let’s go over both. Then, you can talk with a dentist aboutearly orthodontic treatments in Laurel, MD, to help stop thumb-sucking immediately.

  • What Age Should My Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb?

It’s normal for infants to suck their thumbs. It’s a self-soothing mechanism. Most children stop thumb-sucking between the ages of two and three.

  • When It Is and Isn’t OK for a Child to Suck Their Thumb?

Before the age of four, it’s OK for your child to suck their thumb. Once they are past the age of four, they shouldn’t still be sucking their thumb. At six years of age, their baby teeth start to fall out. If they are still sucking their thumb once their adult teeth come in, that’s when potential lifelong problems could occur.

  • The Dental Dangers of Thumb Sucking

The following are the implications of post-toddler thumb-sucking. Misaligned teeth, speech impediments, open bite, and overbite. Not to mention the social ramifications. Thumb-sucking affects the overall development of your child’s jaws, teeth, and palate.

  • How Do I Stop My Child from Sucking Their Thumb?

There are several methods you can try to stop your child from sucking their thumb. However, there is a dental option that is more effective than anything else. It’s an oral appliance designed to stop thumb-sucking quickly and easily. It’s called a palatal crib. It usually stops thumb-sucking immediately.

Looking for an Orthodontist in Laurel, MD, for Your Child?

Don’t allow your child’s thumb-sucking to become a lifetime of problems. PleaseContact Heller Orthodontics today. We can help you break your child of thumb-sucking quickly and easily. Let’s talk about how.

Comparing Different Types of Braces

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Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, braces can improve your life. If you’re tired of having a crooked smile, consider giving braces a try! Orthodontic treatment can straighten teeth, boost your confidence, and improve your well-being.

In this post, we’ll discuss the different brace varieties that are available today.

Metal Braces

Metal braces consist of steel brackets, wires, and bands. The brackets are attached to your teeth, while the wires and bands connect to those brackets. Over time, the oral appliance creates constant pressure to move teeth to the correct position.

Ceramic Braces

These braces work much like their metal counterpart, but they’re only made of ceramic. This makes them much less noticeable than metal braces. In fact, the brackets, wires, and bands are all tooth-colored, allowing them to blend in with your smile.

If you’re ready to try orthodontic treatment, contact Heller Orthodontics today! We’re happy to offer the leading braces in Laurel, MD!

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces also work similarly to metal and ceramic braces. However, they’re placed on the back side of your teeth instead of the front surface, so you can hardly see them!

Self-Ligating Braces

This device also works to move teeth periodically, but instead of using tiny elastic bands, self-ligating braces utilize a special system to keep the archwire connected.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners may be one of the biggest breakthroughs in the orthodontic industry. These devices don’t use any metal or ceramic at all. Instead, clear aligners consist of plastic trays that snap over your teeth. During treatment, you’ll receive a set of personalized clear aligners to wear for the duration of your treatment plan.

Whether you want clear aligners, metal braces, or something else, Heller Orthodontics has you covered. Call us today to work with the leading orthodontist in Laurel, MD!