Anyone who has experienced parenthood knows how a well-timed sippy
cup of juice or pacifier can save the day – or the night. But
the same things that soothe and comfort might also bring about oral
health problems later in life.
In most cases, an infant obsessed with thumb sucking or a young
toddler who needs a pacifier to nap are just fine, provided that
these habits are not carried on for too long. How do you know when
it is time to break your child of his or her habit?
“Some kids continue these habits for a number of years without
having any oral health problems, but it’s still a good idea
to wean children from these habits early to reduce the chances of
causing improper jaw alignment or teeth positioning,” said
Max Anderson, DDS, a national oral health advisor for Delta Dental
Plans Association.
“Your dentist can help monitor the situation and provide recommendations
for preserving your child’s oral health.”
Of more concern to dentists is the practice of giving children juice
or milk in a bottle or sippy cup to drink throughout the day or
at bedtime. Prolonged exposure to the sugars found in milk and juice
contribute to tooth decay and a condition known as baby bottle tooth
decay, a painful and damaging consequence for young children to
endure.
“Some people think it’s not a big deal for a young child
to get a cavity or lose a baby tooth, since these primary teeth
eventually fall out anyway,” Dr. Anderson said. “However,
maintaining healthy baby teeth is extremely important for the long-term
health of permanent teeth. When baby teeth are damaged by decay,
it can affect nutrition, speech development and self-esteem, and
can cause problems with spacing as permanent teeth grow in.”
