Could Your Child Benefit from a Habit Appliance?

If your child has had trouble breaking their habit of sucking their thumb, you are probably worried about what might happen to their teeth. This is a very valid concern because thumbsucking can eventually lead to malformed and/or crooked teeth that will need orthodontic correction. To avoid this happening to your child, your dentist will likely recommend what is known as a habit appliance as a form of preventative orthodontic treatment in Eldridge and Bettendorf.

What It Is

Since most parents are not quite aware of what such a device entails, here is a simple breakdown. They come in two forms, these being a fixed appliance as well as a removable version. The models that are fixed into place are by far the most prescribed to children. They work by preventing the child from sucking their thumb or sticking their tongue out to the back of their teeth or their palate. This removes the sense of satisfaction the child feels. After being prescribed the fixed-place version by IA Mack Orthodontics, it can only be removed by the dentist.

Pain-Free

Parents do not have to worry about the appliance causing their child any pain. Of course, if you or your child have any concerns regarding potential discomfort, we at IA Mack Orthodontics are always available to answer any questions that you may have. There will be a short period of time when the child will need to adjust to wearing the device. While this might cause your child to act cranky for a few days, it will quickly pass while they develop new soothing mechanisms.

Fast Results

Another question that many parents have is how long it will take for them and their child to see results. Thankfully, this type of orthodontic treatment in Bettendorf and Eldridge shows significant improvement in as little as just a few weeks. This is great news because the sooner the child can break their thumbsucking habit, the less risk there is for their dental health.

Future Self-Confidence

Another great aspect of wearing a habit appliance is the fact that it promotes self-esteem and confidence in the child because they will not have dental problems in the future. They will not get teased by other children for having "baby" habits when they are too old to still be sucking their thumb.

If you are concerned that your child is thumbsucking long after it is considered appropriate, please contact us at Mack Orthodontics. Our friendly staff will perform an assessment and see exactly what appliance is the best for your child to use. You'll be amazed at just how many benefits these devices can offer you and your little one.