Habit appliances are metal devices installed on the roof of the mouth or palate. They're designed to impede thumb-sucking habits, which can create dental and jaw development issues. At our Bettendorf and Eldridge, IA, locations, our talented staff can treat your child with the proper habit appliances to achieve that winning smile. Explore the benefits of a thumb habit-breaking appliance today.
Prevents Open Bites
According to the National Library of Medicine, an open bite is one of the most common malocclusions observed among thumb-sucking children. An open bite occurs when the upper and lower teeth do not align when the mouth is closed. Indeed, the mouth appears to always be open with this jaw anomaly. By installing habit appliances, open bites improve on their own. Without the sucking action and physical pressure on the teeth and jaw, children's natural development can take over.
Serves as a Reminder
Our Davenport orthodontics team can evaluate and match the proper habit appliance to your child's needs. Generally, most devices attach to the upper molars and reside behind the teeth. Here, there's a tongue crib or subtle barrier where the thumb generally rests during the sucking action. Because the digit cannot fit behind the teeth with the tongue crib in place, sucking isn't possible. Regardless of whether the habit is conscious or unconscious, the barrier is a constant reminder to stop the habit.
Encourages Alternative Coping Mechanisms
Normally, children use thumb-sucking to cope with stress, such as fear or tiredness. Without this oral fixation, both children and parents can find coping alternatives that are healthier. Consider these actions during treatment, such as:
- Praise the child when he or she doesn't attempt to suck the thumb
- Offer a stuffed animal as a comfort item
- Distract the child with a game or other activity
Ushers in Orthodontic Treatment
If a thumb habit-breaking appliance is necessary, then it's natural to inquire about early orthodontic treatment. Depending on the child's condition, our orthodontist in Bettendorf can devise an appropriate plan to straighten the teeth and encourage healthy dental habits. Both services naturally flow together, which is why working with a licensed orthodontist is critical to success. From habit appliances to traditional braces, today's treatment leads to a winning smile in adolescence.
Stops Further Skeletal Anomalies
Our Bettendorf and Eldridge orthodontic teams use habit appliances to prevent other issues besides open bites. Chronic thumb sucking can lead to overbites and protruding front teeth, for example. Because children are actively growing, jaw and palate growth might be impeded with continued thumb-sucking. Indeed, it's possible to reverse some malocclusions with habit appliances if started early enough. Ideally, working with Davenport Orthodontics to create an appropriate plan can stop the habit and improve smiles.
By breaking thumb-sucking habits, children can move forward with their dental health and orthodontic needs. With personalized treatment by our Bettendorf and Eldridge orthodontic teams, open bites and other malocclusions can be resolved. Contact Mack Orthodontics today!