Why do children suck their thumb?

Thumb sucking

Thumbsucking is commonly associated with infants as most of the infants are seen sucking their thumb. Although, it might appear a harmless bad habit, it can lead to dental and speech problems. This article will deal with why children suck their thumb and what problems can arise out of it. The next article will deal with how to get children to quit thumbsucking.

Why children suck their thumb?

Some babies develop the thumbsucking habit while in the mother’s womb itself where as others start this habit after their birth. Sucking in newborns is just an instinct for survival. They associate sucking with food (milk) and thus comfort and survival.

Sucking in children is a pleasure and comfort giving activity and can hence be attributed to psychological needs. Thumbsucking stimulates the brain to produce endomorphins which are the mood-altering chemicals. These endomorphins gives pleasure and comfort while the child sucks his/her thumb making the child habituated to it.

Many infants tend to stop the habit at around 1 year but quite a few carry on beyond this age. Experts have observed that thumbsucking habit beyond the age of 5 is very detrimental.

The typical parents reaction to this habit is shouting and nagging at the habit which makes it harder for the child to quit.
Punishing children for the habit is no way to get the child to quit thumbsucking and makes the child more adamant towards the habit.

Generally, as the child gets to the age of 4-5 years, he gets busy in his schedule such as school, playing with other children and other activities. This makes the child somewhat independent and he tends to forget about thumbsucking. He is too engrossed in other activities to think about thumbsucking. But some children do not quit this habit and here parents need to adapt a careful approach in order to get their child to quit thumbsucking.

What problems can thumbsucking give rise to?

• Thumbsucking has a major impact on the oral health of the child after the age of 5 years. It is the best to get the child to quit it around age 3.The upper front teeth are pushed forwards and the lower front teeth are pushed backwards. This does not create a problem though. This is because even if the baby teeth get misaligned, this has no effect on the permanent teeth which will start erupting at the age of 6-7 years.
• The roof of the mouth (palate) will be pushed upwards causing a range of problems including speech problems.
• Narrows the dental arches.
• Reshape the jawbone.
• Misalign the teeth.
• Apart from the dental problems, thumsucking can give rise to other problems such as ugly callous on thumb.
• Infection of the thumbnail.
• Increased risk of pinworms.
• Increased risk of other infections.

Now, let’s take a look at possible remedies for thumb sucking.

• Admit the problem in front of the child. Let him know that its something he should rather do away with. Convey this casually and not in a strict manner.
• Try finding the cause of the thumb sucking. Is it just a casual habit or the child does it in times of stress and address this.
• Offer a reward for not sucking.
• Wrap a cloth around the child’s thumb. This should discourage him from sucking his thumb.
• Put some bitter material on the child’s thumb to discourage the habit such as Cayenne pepper, quinine, and asafetida. Some doctors term it as cruel though.
• A very popular therapy which has been shown to be effective is the mirror therapy. Make the child sit in front of the mirror daily for few minutes and suck his thumb. Eventually, the child feels embarrassed and realizes the silliness of the habit.
• An orthodontist can place a orthodontic appliance which will deter thumb sucking. Generally a fixed palatal crib is placed on the palate.
• Thumb guards are also known as good deterrents to thumb sucking and can be employed.

Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, period ontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

Link between Dental Health and Heart Disease

Recent studies suggest possible links between periodontal infections and heart disease. Researchers have reported that the most common strain of bacteria found in plaque can cause blood clots that induce heart attacks when they escape into the bloodstream.

To explain the relationship between the heart and periodontal infections, some experts hypothesize that bacteria present in infected gums can come loose and move throughout the body.

It is possible that once bacteria reach the arteries, they can irritate in the same way they do the gum tissue, causing arterial plaque to buildup in the arteries. This accumulation of bacteria can cause arteries to harden and restrict blood-flow and potentially result in a heart attack or stroke.

Even though the research is not conclusive at this point, it’s still important to try to keep your mouth healthy and help prevent gingivitis from the start. This includes seeing your dental professional at least twice a year and brushing and flossing regularly. Gum disease may be caused by the build up of plaque. If you remove plaque by brushing with a toothpaste, flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist for regular cleanings and consultations, you can help minimize your risk of gum disease. To help prevent gum disease, take these simple steps:

• Brush your teeth twice daily with a proven anti-gingivitis toothpaste
• Floss once a day, or more often if you eat sticky foods or foods that can lodge between your teeth (such as popcorn or poppy seeds)
• Have dental checkups twice a year (or as often as your dental professional recommends)
• Use an anti-microbial rinse, in addition to brushing and flossing

Interestingly, there are some conditions that contribute to the onset of gum disease. Diabetes, for example, can inhibit the immune system and make sufferers more vulnerable to infection. Also, pregnant women can have a higher incidence of gingivitis.

Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, periodontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

 

Bleeding Gums

There are many reasons your gums could bleed.
In some cases, bleeding gums can be a sign of gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal disease. If your gums bleed easily or bleed when you brush, talk to your dentist about your oral health. Gingivitis is reversible and preventable.

If you’ve just started a new flossing routine, for instance, your gums may bleed at first as they get used to cleaning between the teeth. This usually goes away on its own in about a week. Some pregnant women develop a condition known as “pregnancy gingivitis,” an inflammation of the gums that can cause swelling and tenderness. Gums also may bleed a little when brushing or flossing. If you take blood thinners, these medications may cause your gums to bleed.

Contact your physician if the bleeding does not stop quickly. Your gums could also be bleeding if you brush too hard. Use an extra-soft or soft-bristled toothbrush when brushing your teeth.
If your gums bleed regularly or enough to worry you, make an appointment with your dentist or physician.

It could be a sign that something else is wrong. Always remember to brush your teeth twice a day, floss once a day and schedule regular dental visits.


Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, periodontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

What You Can Do About Bad Breath

Worried about bad breath? You're not alone. Forty million Americans suffer from bad breath, or halitosis. Bad breath can get in the way of your social life. It can make you self-conscious and embarrassed. Fortunately, there are simple and effective ways to freshen your breath.

1. Brush and floss more frequently.

One of the prime causes of bad breath is plaque, the sticky build-up on teeth that harbors bacteria. Food left between teeth adds to the problem. All of us should brush at least twice a day and floss daily. If you're worried about your breath, brush and floss a little more often. But don't overdo it. Brushing too aggressively can erode enamel, making your teeth more vulnerable to decay.

2. Scrape your tongue.

The coating that normally forms on the tongue can harbor foul-smelling bacteria. To eliminate them, gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush. Some people find that toothbrushes are too big to comfortably reach the back of the tongue. In that case, try a tongue scraper. Tongue scrapers are an essential tool in a proper oral health care routine. They're designed specifically to apply even pressure across the surface of the tongue area, removing bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that brushing alone can’t remove. 

3. Avoid foods that sour your breath.

Onions and garlic are the prime offenders. Unfortunately, brushing after you eat onions or garlic doesn't help. The volatile substances they contain make their way into your blood stream and travel to your lungs, where you breathe them out. The only way to avoid the problem is to avoid eating onions and garlic, especially before social or work occasions when you're concerned about your breath.

4. Kick the habit.

Bad breath is just one of many reasons not to smoke. Smoking damages gum tissue and stains teeth. It also increases your risk of oral cancer. Over-the-counter nicotine patches can help tame the urge to smoke. If you need a little help, make an appointment to talk to your doctor about prescription medications or smoking cessation programs that can help you give up tobacco for good.

5. Rinse your mouth out.

In addition to freshening your breath, anti-bacterial mouthwashes add extra protection by reducing plaque-causing bacteria. After eating, swishing your mouth with plain water also helps freshen your breath by eliminating food particles.

6. Skip after-dinner mints and chew gum instead.

Sugary candies promote the growth of bacteria in your mouth and add to bad breath problems. Instead, chew sugarless gum. Gum stimulates saliva, which is the mouth’s natural defense mechanism against plaque acids which cause tooth decay and bad breath.

7. Keep your gums healthy.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a common cause of bad breath. Bacteria accumulate in pockets at the base of teeth, creating bad odors. If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend a periodontist, who specializes in treating gum disease.

8. Be alert to dry mouth.

Lack of saliva promotes tooth decay and can cause bad breath. If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water during the day. Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless hard candy, which helps stimulate saliva. Use a humidifier at night if the air is dry. If your mouth is still unusually dry, talk to your dentist or doctor. Dry mouth is a side effect of certain medications.

9. See your doctor.

If your bad breath continues despite your best efforts, see your doctor. Bad breath can be a symptom of medical conditions such as a sinus infection, postnasal drip from allergies, lung infections, diabetes, or liver or kidney diseases.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

The Anatomy of a Tooth

Your teeth are composed of four dental tissues. Three of them—enamel, dentin and cementum—are hard tissues. The fourth tissue—pulp, or the center of the tooth that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue—is a soft, or non-calcified, tissue.

The Anatomy of a Tooth

• Enamel. Hard calcified tissue covering the dentin in the crown of tooth. Because it contains no living cells, tooth enamel cannot repair damage from decay or from wear. Only a dentist can correct these conditions.
• Anatomical Crown. The visible part of your tooth. It is normally covered by enamel.
• Gums (also called gingiva.) Soft tissues that cover and protect the roots of your teeth and cover teeth that have not yet erupted.
• Pulp Chamber.The space occupied by the pulp—the soft tissue at the center of your teeth containing nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue. 
• Neck. The area where the crown joins the root.
• Dentin. That part of the tooth that is beneath enamel and cementum. It contains microscopic tubules (small hollow tubes or canals). When dentin loses its protective covering (enamel), the tubules allow heat and cold or acidic or sticky foods to stimulate the nerves and cells inside the tooth, causing sensitivity.
• Jawbone (Alveolar Bone.) The part of the jaw that surrounds the roots of the teeth.
• Root Canal. The portion of the pulp cavity inside the root of a tooth; the chamber within the root of the tooth that contains the pulp.
• Cementum. Hard connective tissue covering the tooth root, giving attachment to the periodontal ligament.
• Periodontal Ligament. A system of collagenous connective tissue fibers that connect the root of a tooth to its socket.                                                                                                            Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, periodontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.
  Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

Brushing With Baking Soda?

Pros and Cons of Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda

Baking soda has long been used as an alternative to toothpaste. Many people will admit to brushing teeth with baking soda. Today, many toothpaste manufacturers incorporate baking soda into their formula. As with most things, there are pros and cons associated with using this agent as a toothpaste alternative.

Pros of Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda

• It works to help clean teeth. According to the Journal of Clinical Dentistry (June 2008), brushing teeth with baking soda products was proven more effective than using products without baking soda.
• It’s inexpensive. If you use just baking soda, a box will last you for a long time and costs less than $1.

Cons of Brushing Teeth with Baking Soda

• It’s messy. Brushing teeth with baking soda may be inexpensive, but it’s certainly not neat. Baking soda manufacturers have not mastered the handy packaging you find among most toothpastes.
• It feels gritty. Anyone who has experienced brushing teeth with baking soda will most likely comment on the unpleasant feeling of soda throughout their mouth.
• Brushing with baking soda alone will not provide you with the fluoride you need to help remineralize teeth and prevent cavities.

Skeptical of brushing your teeth with baking soda alone? If you want the cleaning benefit provided by brushing teeth with baking soda, but also want the added protection provided by a toothpaste that contains fluoride and protects against cavities, find a toothpaste that contains baking soda. There are many to choose from!

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

Tips for Common Dental Emergencies

Accidents happen, and knowing what to do when one occurs can mean the difference between saving and losing a tooth.

Here are some tips for common dental emergencies:

• For a knocked-out permanent or adult tooth, keep it moist at all times. If you can, try placing the tooth back in the socket without touching the root. If that’s not possible, place it in between your cheek and gums, in milk, or use a tooth preservation product . Then, get to your dentist’s office right away.
• For a cracked tooth, immediately rinse the mouth with warm water to clean the area. Put cold compresses on the face to keep any swelling down.
• If you bite your tongue or lip, clean the area gently with water and apply a cold compress.
• For toothaches, rinse the mouth with warm water to clean it out. Gently use dental floss to remove any food caught between the teeth. Do not put aspirin on the aching tooth or gum tissues.
• For objects stuck in the mouth, try to gently remove with floss but do not try to remove it with sharp or pointed instruments.

For all dental emergencies, it’s important to visit your dentist or an emergency room as soon as possible.

There are a number of simple precautions you can take to avoid accident and injury to the teeth:

• Wear a mouthguard when participating in sports or recreational activities.
• Avoid chewing ice, popcorn kernels and hard candy, all of which can crack a tooth.
• Use scissors, NEVER your teeth, to cut things.

Most dentists reserve time in their daily schedules for emergency patients. Call your dentist and provide as much detail as possible about your condition.

For more information visit us at www.BlochDentistry.com or call us at (305)385-5555