Some oral habits, such as thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting, require specialized pediatric dental services when they aren’t addressed in early childhood. Although your little one may look cute as they suck on their thumb, this habit can lead to significant dental issues in the long term.
At Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry, our Palo Alto pediatric dentists can help your children break these habits with specialized oral appliances. These best habit-breaking appliances in Palo Alto prevent future damage and ensure the jawbone grows in proper alignment.
An oral habit appliance is a device that is used to help children stop sucking their thumbs. These appliances are also called habit-breaking appliances and are usually made from metal. A habit appliance is placed on the inside of the front teeth and resembles a metal retainer.
Most children grow out of a thumb-sucking habit early in childhood. However, if they reach four years of age and continue to suck their thumb, it’s essential to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michelle at Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry in Palo Alto to correct this harmful habit.
Habit-breaking appliances are painless to put on and do not hurt to wear. However, it may take some time for your child to get used to the appliance. Their tongue may occasionally rub against the device, becoming sore. The device may also make it more difficult to speak clearly.
When it comes to thumb-sucking, lip-sucking, and mouth-breathing, you’ll want to stop your child’s habit quickly to prevent the following:
Early intervention is the best way to save your child from dealing with the troubles that will appear later in life.
Ready to leverage the best habit-breaking appliances in Palo Alto to protect your child’s precious smile?
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