Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100
Although dental hygiene is important throughout your entire lifespan,
it is extremely important in the
first couple of years of your life. So, it’s no wonder many parents are
concerned about whether or not pacifiers and baby bottles can ruin their
child’s teeth.
Sucking is a natural reflex that babies develop and practice,
even before they are born! It’s a normal part of development that is comforting
to children even after they no longer need nourishment from breast or bottle
feeding.
So, are pacifiers a problem? Sucking habits most likely
won’t damage a child’s mouth in their first couple years of life but frequent
and long-term sucking can cause problems. The top front teeth may begin to
slant out, the bottom teeth tilt in, the upper and lower jaws become
misaligned, and the roof of the mouth may be narrower side to side.
A couple of
tips to consider if your child uses a pacifier are: to buy products that are
constructed as one piece - the child shouldn’t have any parts that can break off
easily and potentially be swallowed; and never fasten a pacifier on a string
or necklace around your child’s neck - this could accidentally strangle your
baby; and finally, offer your child a pacifier that is marketed
“orthodontically correct.” This type of pacifier may not affect the teeth as
much.
Children often satisfy their desire to suck by using a sippy
cup or pacifiers. Children who are continuously sucking or breastfeeding long
after they need too will increase the risk of decay. Also, when children
consume sugars and other carbohydrates, they are provided with cavity causing
bacteria. This makes children more prone to cavities at a young age. In early
childhood years, a child’s teeth may appear to have small white spots or lines
on them. These spots or lines show up on the edges of the gums and eventually
may begin turning brown and chipped. Parents should contact their child’s
dentist as soon as they notice this problem.
It is important to keep baby teeth healthy and to stop tooth
decay as soon as possible. Baby teeth often stay in children’s mouth long after
their childhood years. Tooth decay can lead to pain and trouble with eating and
speaking. If tooth decay begins at an early age and teeth are lost, this can
cause the adult teeth to come in crowded or crooked.
Schedule an appointment today with Dr. Stacey Reynolds at Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City! For more information, visit PediatricDentistryofGardenCity.com and LIKE us on Facebook!
Parents should try to take their children to the dentist when they are between the ages of 2-4 years old to make sure their baby teeth are healthy and developing properly.
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