Thumb and Finger Habit Appliances
Sucking on a thumb or finger is a natural way for babies to soothe themselves. This habit is common and provides comfort during the first few years of life. However, as a child grows, this comforting routine can begin to change the shape of their smile. We provide specialized support to help your child move past these habits at the right time. By acting early, we can guide the development of the jaw and ensure teeth grow into their proper places.
How Habits Affect a Growing Smile
A child's jaw grows quickly and has a rich blood supply, making it very responsive to pressure. When a child sucks their thumb with force, it can push teeth and bones out of their natural alignment. This often leads to a narrow upper jaw or teeth that do not meet correctly. Our goal is to enable healthy growth through early treatment. Addressing these concerns now can often prevent the need for more complex care during adolescent treatment later.
Breaking The Habit
A habit appliance works much like the retention tools used after braces. We craft a small metal device with thin wires that sits just behind the upper front teeth. This device is called a palatal crib. It stops the thumb or finger from making contact with the roof of the mouth. Without that contact, the child no longer feels the soothing sensation that drives the habit.
Many families find that the habit fades very quickly once we provide this tool. Some children even stop the habit within just a few days. We keep the appliance in place until we are certain the habit is gone. Once the habit is broken, we simply remove the device. This simple step can inspire a lifetime of better oral health.
Treatment for Tongue Thrusting
Tongue thrusting is another natural behavior that children usually outgrow by age six. It happens when the tongue pushes too far forward during swallowing. If this continues, it can cause many of the same issues as thumb sucking, such as a misaligned bite. We can tailor a special appliance to help retrain the tongue. These tools look very similar to the ones used for thumb sucking. They gently block the tongue from pushing against the teeth, which helps the jaw stay in its correct position. You can learn more about how we identify these issues during a first visit.
Thumb and Finger Appliances Reviews
Dr. Mack is one of a kind! He cares about his patients and makes sure everything is going well with your braces.His crew are just as friendly and concerned on how your progress is coming.If and when you need braces, Mack Orthodontics is a phenomenal place to get your teeth straightened!!!
I had a great experience with Mack Orthodontics! Everyone I interacted with was really kind and friendly, and they made everything seamless and quick - and I was a totally new patient! Definitely recommend!
We love Mack Orthodontics!Our family has multiple children going through treatment here, and we have consistently had a wonderful experience. The customer service is truly top notch.One time, one of our children had a severe allergic reaction to a lip gloss, causing significant swelling of the lips. It had nothing to do with Mack Orthodontics, but because of the braces, the swelling caused the inside of the lips to become very irritated and painful. We reached out simply looking for suggestions, and the office responded immediately. They had a bag of wax ready for us to quickly pick up before school, and then they even texted a few days later to check on how things were improving.That meant so much to us. It showed that they donāt just care about providing orthodontic treatment. They genuinely care about their patients as people.Every time we walk into either the Bettendorf or Eldridge location, the staff is welcoming and friendly. We also love that both locations share the same staff, which makes each office feel familiar and comfortable. Their early morning and later appointment options are incredibly helpful for busy school and activity schedules.We cannot recommend Mack Orthodontics enough!
The crew at Mack Orthodontics is always a pleasure to work with! š
Best place for orthodontics. Everyone is very friendly and professional. I was recommend by my dentist to goto Dr Mack. Glad we did
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When To Visit the Orthodontist
We believe in a proactive approach to dental health. If your child still sucks their thumb or thrusts their tongue as they approach school age, it may be time to visit our office. We use digital x-rays and other tools to see how these habits are affecting the hidden growth of the jaw. Our team is here to provide the gentle care your child needs to succeed. We serve families across Bettendorf, Eldridge, and the Quad Cities with a focus on comfort and results.
Start Your Smile Journey Today
If you have questions about your child's habits, we invite you to look through our FAQ or read our patient testimonials. Taking this small step now can guide your child toward a beautiful, straight smile.
