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A ‘Oral Habit’ is defined as any repetitive behaviour pattern which utilises the oral cavity and its supporting structures.

At Ankura Dental hospital which is one of the best dental hospital in Hyderabad, our dental specialist in the field of children’s dentistry explains the 2 most commonly accepted schools of thoughts:

  • Old habits – undesirable, abnormal, & needs to be corrected immediately.
  • New habits – reflection of growth and maturing oral apparatus.

Abnormal habits can interfere with regular growth of the face and the jaws.
It must be emphasised that a strong relationship exists between the physiologic development of the oral cavity and with the nature onset and duration of the existing oral habit present if any. These habits arise from the following causes:

  • Reflex and instinct – seen in infancy.
  • Complex and Controlled behavior – seen later in life.

At Ankura dental clinic which houses one of the best dental specialist in Hyderabad across all streams of dentistry like orthodontics, pedodontics, periodontics, implant specialist and prosthodontist, we lay stress in bringing awareness among parents about the direct relationship between the frequency and duration of habits and the difficulty in breaking the same i.e, the longer the habit is practiced the harder it will be to break and the more severe the pathology can be seen in the oral cavity at later stages.

The following is an attempt to understand one of the most common oral habits that can be found in your infants and children – ‘Non nutritive thumb sucking habit’. It must be highlighted that with the timely intervention of these deleterious habits by our team of dental experts at Ankura dental clinic, multiple oral problems can be prevented that may establish in future.

Non-nutritive sucking:

Sucking is a normal baby reflex, beginning around the 29th week of gestation. Almost 100% of normal babies engage in non-nutritive sucking.

Babies may suck their thumb, fingers, hand, a pacifier, or other inanimate object such as a blanket or toy. It basically helps the infant to relax and focus his or her attention thereby providing sense of security and comfort.

Although most children discontinue nonnutritive sucking between 2 and 4 years of age, more than 20% still engage in the habit at age 3.

Pacifier users typically discontinue nonnutritive sucking earlier than thumb suckers. Older children who are thumb suckers are often motivated to quit by peer pressure at school.

Dental Effects:

The dental effects of nonnutritive sucking directly correlate with the frequency, intensity, duration, and nature of the habit. The most common effect is movement of the central incisors upward and anteriorly, which may result in an opening of the front teeth. Narrowing of the upper jaw is also commonly encountered in older age groups.

Intervention:

When a child persists with a sucking habit, consider the following approaches:

  • Tell the child in basic terms why you want them to stop and that you believe they can do so.
  • Implement reminder therapy, the use of aids such as rubber bands or string, to help a child interrupt the habit.
  • Start a reward system.
  • Encourage the use of a stuffed animal or other comfort object.

Management:

Dental effects are generally reversible and unlikely to cause any long-term problems if the habit is discontinued early.

Pacifiers use can typically discontinue NNS habit at an early stages.

  • The pacifier should be used when placing the infant down for sleep and not be reinserted once the infant falls asleep.
  • Pacifiers should not be coated in any sweet solution.
  • Pacifiers should be cleaned often and replaced regularly.
  • For breastfed infants, delay pacifier introduction until 1 month of age to ensure that breastfeeding is firmly established.

Other Management Techniques Include:

  • Covering hands at night with mittens or socks.
  • Dressing the child in a special shirt with the sleeves sewn closed.
  • Placing a bandage or specialty plastic guard on the thumb or finger However it must be emphasised for physical intervention to work, the child must be ready and agreeable.

If other methods are not effective, an intraoral appliance can be placed by our dentist to prevent sucking. The appliance is removed after the habit is broken. This usually takes about 45-60 days.

Ankura dental hospital which is one of the leading dental clinics in Hyderabad, you can utilise the services of our highly skilled and experience child dental specialist who can design a custom made treatment model for your child. With state of the art in-house lab and highly skilled lab personnel’s, you can be assured with the dental care delivery of highest standards. Our highly experienced team of dental specialist intervene the early stages of the habits and thereby preventing the abnormal jaw and teeth growth.

At Ankura dental clinic, our specialised team immensely feels privileged to be in a position to serve. We make this your practice too, which is why we value and embrace your opinions and critics, good or bad. We will rejoice in having served you well.

By

Ankura Dental – Best Dental Clinic in Hyderabad

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