We all admire children and think them as the most prized possession and the most beautiful creation of Almighty. Their one smile relieves us from tensions and problems. They win our hearts with their smiles and sweet little talks. They become our life, and our whole world sticks around them. It is a fact that all living beings grow and develop and so our children. As our children start growing and developing, they also start developing teeth. It is a happy moment for parents when they see their kid’s first tooth.
But along with happiness, they should now be aware as more teeth will develop, and they have to fully aware of the dental and oral hygiene of their kids. They should give equal importance to oral and dental health as they provide other body parts. F or this, they should have a thorough knowledge of dental and oral hygiene, and this they can get from none other than a pediatric dentist. So, to safeguard their kids’ teeth and to save them from potential dental problems, they should always visit a pediatric dentist who can advise and guide them about dental and oral hygiene.
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics:
Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics are a branch of dental science that deals with children’s dental problems from birth to young adulthood. Pediatric orthodontics is a specialty wherein orthodontists help the children in treating those using different devices and chain of treatment to enhance their smile and the look of their teeth and face. They often use dental implants like braces to shape the teeth properly to enhance the look. Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics treat several problems related to your child’s teeth like:
- Dental sealants
- Dental implants for children,
- A mouth guard for children,
- Nitrous oxide for children,
- Jaw mal alignment in children,
- Bite problem in children
- Sleep apnea,
- Space maintainers,
- Plaque removal,
- Teething,
- Thumb sucking solution and treatment,
- Tooth decay,
- Teaching dental hygiene,
- How to use dental floss in children.
- Root canal,
- How fluoride affects your child’s teeth etc.
Who is a Pediatric Dentist?
To treat children in general, there are pediatricians, and in the same way, to manage kid’s dental problems, there are pediatric dentists. A pediatric dentist is a qualified professional who has a degree in dental science and has the authority and responsibility to treat dental problems related to teeth and gums. A pediatric dentist is also known as the kid’s dentist in a typical layman’s language. They are also known as pedodontists. A pediatric dentist is a qualified dental surgeon who is eligible to give care and treat children’s teeth, gums, and other dental problems related to teeth and gums. A pediatric dentist treats kids from infancy to teenage or young adulthood.
Pediatric dentistry and Thumb Sucking:
During infancy, children do tend to suck thumb. Parents often feel that it is quite reasonable. Usually, it is considered very natural for babies to suck their thumb as it gives them a feeling of safety, soothing, and comfort. They feel secured while sucking thumb. Sucking thumb also gives them a calming effect and helps them to sleep. This habit of thumb sucking is usual till infancy, but as they start developing their permanent teeth, then it poses a problem for them.
The prolonged or long duration of thumb sucking can lead to serious dental problems. The child may develop crooked teeth and jaw malalignment. They may also suffer from bite problems. Thumb sucking damages not only permanent teeth but also harms temporary or milk teeth. Who has the solution for these problems? Pediatric dentistry has a solution to these problems that your child is suffering from. Prolonged duration of thumb sucking can lead to severe problems, and you may need the help of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics as it may change the look of your kid’s face.
Tips to Stop Thumb Sucking:
- Pacifier to gives a pacifier to infants instead of allowing them to suck their thumb. You can easily take away pacifiers from their mouth after some time.
- Appreciate and Encourage
Or praise your child when he or she is not sucking the thumb. This way, they will feel good about themselves and try to be more vigilant in not sucking their thumb and gaining appreciation. Encourage them to break this habit of thumb sucking.
- Offer Rewards
I love to receive gifts and rewards for anything good they do. Tell your child that they will get a bonus if they do not suck their thumb. These rewards could be in any form like chocolates or toys, to a movie or a trip to their favorite place, etc.
- Healthy Talk
Take your child in confidence and try to talk to them about the ill effects of thumb sucking. Do tell them how it can harm them. Tell them about defects that can be caused due to thumb sucking like jaw malalignment, speech defects, teeth defects, etc. try to find out the cause of thumb sucking because children tend to suck thumb when they feel insecure or when they want comfort. Try to engage them in activities in which they have to use their hands regularly. This way, they will not put their thumb in their mouth.
- After practicing these techniques and tips, if your child still sucks thumb, then you need to visit a pediatric dentist who will help your child in getting rid of this habit by making him know and understand the ill effects of continuing this habit. They can even use certain oral appliances to stop this thumb-sucking habit.
Pediatric dentistry and orthodontics help in relieving the stress of parents by helping them with their kid’s problems related to thumb sucking. They help you in retaining your child’s smile back again. They also guide the parents in the conservative treatment of this habit before any damage is done to your child’s teeth. So, it is a piece of genuine advice for the parents to take the help of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in breaking the habit of thumb sucking and retain your child’s smile back again on their face
Author: I’m Jaylin: SEO Expert of Leelija Web Solutions. I am a content manager, and the author of bizmaa.com and a full time blogger. Favourite things include my camera, travelling, caring my fitness, food and my fashion. Email id: editor@leelija.com
