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Tongue Thrust Habit Explained
“Tongue thrust” is the habit of resting the tongue against or between the teeth. It can be caused or affected by a number of different things, including thumb or finger sucking habits, structural or developmental problems, or mouth breathing. This habit can sometimes cause the teeth to move into an unfavorable position, which makes it difficult for the orthodontist to correct a bad bite, or to keep a bad bite corrected.
Treatment for tongue thrust can range from increasing the patient’s awareness of tongue posture to undergoing myofunctional therapy to tone the muscles and establish a new habit with the correct tongue posture. Generally speaking, it is best to treat the habit at a young age to prevent more serious side effects, and also to allow for the best long-term stability. Changing a habit takes time and effort! We here at Zapfel Orthodontics are here to support you along the way, and to ensure that you achieve your best bite.
For More Information
Please call (763) 784-0420 or visit www.ZapfelOrthodontics.com for more information or to schedule a complimentary initial examination and x-ray. Zapfel Orthodontics is located at 1130 NE County Road 10 in Spring Lake Park, MN 55432 and serves the Minneapolis/St. Paul Twin Cities including Coon Rapids, Blaine, Fridley, Roseville, Anoka, Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, and Mounds View, Minnesota.
Filed under: braces, Early Treatment, Orthodontics, Preventative Care, Tips for Patients | Tags: blaine orthodontist, braces, coon rapids orthodontist, dental, fridley orthodontist, minnesota orthodontist, mn orthodontist, mounds view orthodontist, orthodontist in minneapolis, spring lake park orthodontist, st. paul orthodontist, teeth, twin cities orthodontist, zapfel orthodontist
Twin Cities Orthodontist Discusses Phase I Treatment
For many people, there is a specific “window of opportunity” for correcting a bite problem. If this window of opportunity is not taken advantage of, the bite problem can worsen and become more complex. This sometimes results in the need to remove permanent teeth, or in severe cases, do jaw surgery.
At Zapfel Orthodontics, we believe that there are certain types of bites that benefit from early treatment, or Phase I. Early bite correction generally addresses and/or prevents jaw growth problems. Later on, usually once all the baby teeth are gone and the permanent teeth have erupted, the child undergoes Phase II, or “regular” braces. Most patients, even those who have had Phase I, benefit from the bite detailing included in Phase II.
So how do you know if your child can benefit from an early phase of orthodontic treatment? The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child be seen for an initial evaluation by an orthodontist by the age of 7. This allows the orthodontist to evaluate the growth pattern and tooth eruption sequence of young patients, while at the same time keeping the “window of opportunity” open in case the child needs pre-braces growth guidance.
For More Information
Please call (763) 784-0420 or visit www.ZapfelOrthodontics.com for more information or to schedule a complimentary initial examination and x-ray. Zapfel Orthodontics is located at 1130 NE County Road 10 in Spring Lake Park, MN 55432 and serves the Minneapolis/St. Paul Twin Cities including Coon Rapids, Blaine, Fridley, Roseville, Anoka, Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, and Mounds View, Minnesota.
Filed under: braces, Early Treatment, Orthodontics, Preventative Care, Tips for Patients | Tags: blaine orthodontist, braces, coon rapids orthodontist, dental, fridley orthodontist, minnesota orthodontist, mn orthodontist, mounds view orthodontist, orthodontist in minneapolis, spring lake park orthodontist, st. paul orthodontist, teeth, twin cities orthodontist, zapfel orthodontist
Minnesota Orthodontist Discusses Thumb Sucking
Are you concerned about your child’s thumb or finger sucking habit? Many children like to comfort themselves by sucking on fingers, thumbs, or pacifiers. Generally, this habit should stop by the age of 2-4 years, or before the adult teeth begin to come in. Sucking habits can cause the teeth to move into unfavorable positions. In some cases, especially in children who have a vigorous sucking habit, even the baby teeth can be affected.
If your child’s sucking habit persists beyond age 4, or if you notice that your child’s teeth are shifting, please bring your child in for an evaluation. Your dentist and/or orthodontist can discuss options for eliminating a sucking habit. Some tips for stopping a sucking habit can include:
1. Praise children for not sucking, instead of scolding them when they are. Help the child realize that not sucking is more rewarding.
2. Work on stopping the sucking habit during the day first, then work on stopping it at night
3. Aim to relieve anxiety that may be contributing to the child’s sucking habit. Replace the sucking habit with another comfort (ie: more physical contact, aroma therapy, etc.)
4. If the child is old enough, have him/her help decide on a plan to stop the sucking habit. The dentist or orthodontist can explain the negative effects that might occur if the habit is not stopped
5. Have the child set his/her own plan and goals for stopping the habit
6. Put a band-aid over the thumb, or a sock over the hand at night to help remind the child to stop sucking
7. If none of the above tips work, the dentist or orthodontist can prescribe a bitter coating for the thumb, or even an appliance to use in order to stop the habit
For a complimentary evaluation or for additional information, please call Zapfel Orthodontics or visit the American Dental Association website.
Thank you to Jennifer Connelly, MS-CCC-SLP for her help with this blog.
For More Information
Please call (763) 784-0420 or visit www.ZapfelOrthodontics.com for more information or to schedule a complimentary initial examination and x-ray. Zapfel Orthodontics is located at 1130 NE County Road 10 in Spring Lake Park, MN 55432 and serves the Minneapolis/St. Paul Twin Cities including Coon Rapids, Blaine, Fridley, Roseville, Anoka, Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights, and Mounds View, Minnesota.
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Minnesota Orthodontist Discusses Early Treatment
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every person visit an orthodontist by the age of 7. By age 7, the permanent teeth in most patients are beginning to erupt. This is a good time to evaluate facial growth pattern and dental eruption sequence, and to make sure that there are no developmental abnormalities in the growing patient.
If growth and development appear to be normal, orthodontic treatment is often not indicated until most or all of the permanent teeth have erupted. This is usually around age 12. In some patients, however, a developing problem becomes evident at a younger age. Often, if caught early enough, a first phase of interceptive orthodontic treatment can be done in order to reduce or eliminate the developing problem. Early orthodontic treatment typically lasts a year or less. Once the developing problem has been corrected, the patient usually wears retainers during a waiting period until the rest of the adult teeth erupt. A second phase of orthodontic treatment is often indicated in order to complete correction of the teeth and bite, and to fine tune the placement of the adult teeth once they have come in.
The majority of patients who seek orthodontic treatment do not need an early phase of treatment. However, in patients where an early phase is indicated, complications or the need for more severe and intensive orthodontic treatment can be greatly reduced. If you or your child would like to be evaluated for orthodontic need, please come in for a no-charge initial exam at Zapfel Orthodontics. During this time, we can help you decide if and when orthodontic treatment should be initiated.
For More Information
Please call (763) 784-0420 or visit www.ZapfelOrthodontics.com for more information or to schedule a complimentary initial examination and x-ray. Zapfel Orthodontics is located at 1130 NE County Road 10 in Spring Lake Park, MN 55432 and serves the Minneapolis/St. Paul Twin Cities including Coon Rapids, Blaine, Fridley and Mounds View, Minnesota.
