Kapadia Orthodontics

  • About Us
    • Blog
    • Meet Our Orthodontist
    • Office Tour
    • Contact Us
    • Resource Library
  • New Patients
    • Financial Information
  • Orthodontics
    • Orthodontic Treatment for Kids
    • Braces for Adults
    • Living with Braces
    • Braces FAQs
    • Before & After Portfolio
  • Treatments
    • Early Orthodontic Treatments
    • Metal Braces Options
    • Clear Braces
    • Surgical Orthodontics
    • Dental Retainers
  • Technology
    • Empower® Self Ligating Braces
    • Invisalign
    • Forsus™ 3M Unitek
  • Service Area
    • Winter Springs, FL
    • Geneva, FL
    • Chuluota, FL
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

OVIEDO, FL
(407) 366-3300

Review Us!
Review Us

April 22, 2016 By k-ortho

The Truth About Pacifiers, Thumb Sucking and Severe Overbites

It might sound funny to some, but babies are natural suckers. In fact, many suck their thumbs or fingers while still in the womb.

It’s an entirely natural behavior that allows them to feed and grow. It also helps them feel more comfortable and settle into a great big new world.

It’s no wonder, then, that when babies can’t quite find their thumbs and don’t have anything on which to suck, they start to get a little agitated and start to cry.

No one wants their baby to be uncomfortable — and no one enjoys the sound of a crying baby — so that’s when many parents make the decision to turn to pacifiers.

baby sucking on a pacifier

When used correctly, pacifiers do exactly what their name suggests — they pacify babies by satiating their desire to suck on something.

But many parents worry that using a pacifier (or letting their child suck her or his thumb, for that matter) can lead to adverse effects. In other words, parents worry that pacifiers and thumb sucking can lead to a severe overbite.

It’s a legitimate concern, and any parent who is worried about it needs to know the truth: prolonged thumb sucking and improper pacifier use can certainly lead to long-term problems, including a severe overbite.

The Truth About Pacifiers and Severe Overbites

According to the American Dental Association, letting your child suck his thumb or relying too heavily on a pacifier may cause the mouth’s structure to change in unnatural ways.

Thumb sucking and pacifier use can lead to changes in the roof of the mouth. It can cause problems with the development of primary (or baby) teeth. And yes, it can cause a severe overbite.

This might be jarring news for parents who have come to rely on a pacifier, or for those whose children seem to be addicted to sucking their thumbs. But the good news is that most children stop relying on thumb sucking and pacifiers on their own — typically between the ages of 2 and 4.

However, if your child seems to have fallen in love with sucking his or her thumb or just can’t break the pacifier habit, you might want to take some steps to move them along before the sucking does permanent damage:

  • Reinforce positive behavior by praising your child for not sucking his or her thumb or not using a pacifier.
  • Reward your child when he or she avoids sucking his or her thumb during stressful situations.
  • Ask your dentist to talk to your child about what can happen if he or she continues to suck his or her thumb or use a pacifier.

Break Habits Early On

The other option is to start working to break the habits as early as possible. It may come with some crying and a little discomfort, but that’s a small price to pay when compared with working to fix a severe overbite.

Do you want to learn more about breaking the habit and early intervention? Then contact our team at Kapadia Orthodontics. We’ll help advise you on the right treatment path.

kapadia

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Call us today at (407) 366-3300 for your complimentary exam and consultation

Schedule a Free Consultation

4 Benefits of Orthodontic Treatment e-book

Treatments

  • Common Orthodontic Treatments in Oviedo, FL
    • Early Orthodontic Treatments
    • Wide Range of Metal Braces Options
    • Clear Braces for a Better Smile
    • Orthodontic Surgery in Oviedo, FL
    • Dental Retainers for Beautiful Smiles

Technology

  • Advanced Technology for our Patients
    • Empower® Self Ligating Braces
    • Invisalign Orthodontist in Oviedo, Florida
    • Forsus™ 3M Unitek
    • Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs)

Contact Us

Kapadia Orthodontics
405 Alexandria Blvd. Suite 110‎
Oviedo, FL 32765

ph: (407) 366-3300
fax: (407) 366-8244
email: info@k-orthodontics.com

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Closed Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Our Location

Click to open a larger map

Copyright © 2023 Kapadia Orthodontics - All rights reserved. POWERED BY INTEGRATED DIGITAL STRATEGIES.. Sitemap

  • About Us
    ▼
    • Blog
    • Meet Our Orthodontist
    • Office Tour
    • Contact Us
    • Resource Library
  • New Patients
    ▼
    • Financial Information
  • Orthodontics
    ▼
    • Orthodontic Treatment for Kids
    • Braces for Adults
    • Living with Braces
    • Braces FAQs
    • Before & After Portfolio
  • Treatments
    ▼
    • Early Orthodontic Treatments
    • Metal Braces Options
    • Clear Braces
    • Surgical Orthodontics
    • Dental Retainers
  • Technology
    ▼
    • Empower® Self Ligating Braces
    • Invisalign
    • Forsus™ 3M Unitek
  • Service Area
    ▼
    • Winter Springs, FL
    • Geneva, FL
    • Chuluota, FL