Oral Habits in Poulsbo, WA
Building a strong foundation for healthy oral habits will establish your child's dental routine for their entire lives. With our educational, compassionate care, we are here to give your child the guidance they need.
Why Choose Guidance On Oral Habits?
Habits like thumb-sucking, pacifier use, and tongue thrusting are common and completely normal in young children, helping them self-soothe. However, if these habits continue past a certain age, they can begin to affect the alignment of your child's teeth and jaw. We're here to help you understand when a habit is nothing to worry about, and when it's time to gently guide your child toward breaking it.
The Benefits of Oral Habits
Supports Healthy Development
Addressing prolonged oral habits early helps your child's teeth and jaw develop properly.
Personalized Guidance
We'll help you understand your child's specific habits and offer age-appropriate strategies for breaking them.
Builds Lifelong Habits
Guiding your child away from harmful habits early sets them up for good oral hygiene practices that last a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these frequently asked questions, or call us to speak with our team.
Is thumb-sucking or pacifier use bad for my child?
In infants and toddlers, these habits are a normal, natural way to self-soothe and typically don't cause problems. They become more of a concern if they continue past the eruption of permanent teeth, usually around age 4 or 5.
How can I help my child stop thumb-sucking or using a pacifier?
Positive reinforcement, gentle reminders, and celebrating small successes tend to work best. We're happy to offer strategies tailored to your child during a visit.
What is tongue thrusting?
Tongue thrusting is when a child's tongue pushes against or between their teeth during swallowing or resting, which can affect the alignment of their teeth and bite over time if it continues.
When should I bring up an oral habit with the dentist?
If your child's habit continues beyond age 3 or 4, or if you notice changes in their bite or teeth alignment, it's a good time to bring it up at their next checkup.
