Tongue thrusting, often considered a normal developmental behavior in infants,
can become problematic if it persists into childhood and adulthood.
This blog delves into the concept of tongue thrusting, the issues it can lead to,
and the importance of recognizing and addressing this habit early on.

2. Persistence Beyond Infancy:
   For some individuals, tongue thrusting persists into childhood and adulthood, causing various problems.

3. Dental Issues:
   One of the primary concerns associated with tongue thrusting is dental misalignment.
   The constant pressure of the tongue against the teeth can lead to malocclusion,
   which is when the teeth don't meet correctly.

4. Speech and Articulation Problems:
   Tongue thrusting can influence speech development,
   leading to issues with pronunciation and articulation.

5. Swallowing and Breathing Difficulties:
   It can affect swallowing patterns and even result in open-mouth breathing,
   which has its own set of health problems.

6. Orthodontic Treatment:
   Correcting the effects of tongue thrusting may require orthodontic treatment, such as braces.

7. Early Intervention:
   Recognizing tongue thrusting early and addressing it can prevent many of these issues and lead to more successful treatment.

Tongue thrusting, though normal in infancy, can become problematic if it persists into later stages of life.
The consequences are not limited to dental issues but also extend to speech, swallowing,
and breathing problems.
Identifying and addressing tongue thrusting early on is essential to prevent these complications
and ensure better oral and overall health.

What is  "Baby bottle syndrome?"

Baby bottle syndrome, now known as Early childhood caries ( ECC ),
is defined as the presence of 1 or more decayed teeth or missing teeth
This results in dental caries or (cavities) or filled tooth surfaces in
any primary tooth between birth and 71 months of age.

Below we will explore how to prevent baby bottle syndrome.

1. Giving them unlimited access to beverages overnight can harm their oral health.
Let's explore some reasons why and what we can do.

Issues associated with a bottle overnight:
- The nipple of a bottle prevents saliva from washing away the sugars from the incisors.
bottom front teeth may also be affected
- Milk, juice, and formula all contain simple carbohydrates. Bacterias just love sugars and cause plaque.
- As the bacteria break down fluids, it produces acids that may harm baby's tooth enamel.

What can we do?:
- A bottle or a sippy cup with water overnight is better than milk or juice.
however, babies should breastfeed or drink for the first 6 months before giving them more water.
The formula itself should not be too diluted with water. Giving babies too much water can affect appetite.
- If your child falls asleep while feeding, remove the bottle as soon as you notice your baby is no longer sucking.

- Teach your child to drink from a cup rather than a bottle by about six months. Children should be weaned from the bottle by about one-year-old.
- Changing a child's diet may help prevent baby bottle tooth decay. More about this below.

2. Keep them Hydrated during the day
Adequate hydration is essential for growing babies. They are more prone to dehydration than adults are.

Here are some signs of dehydration to watch out for:
Sleepiness.
Irritability.
Thirst.
Less elasticity in the skin.
Eyes and fontanel (or soft spot on the head) appear sunken.
Decrease or absence of tears.
Dry mouth.
more than 6 hours without a wet diaper.
Decrease the number of wet diapers.
urine looks or smells stronger.
rapid breathing
High heart rate

3. Changing a child's diet may help prevent baby bottle tooth decay.

Employing the following changes can help:

a. Gradually dilute the bottle contents with water over a period of two to three weeks.
b. Once that period is over, if you give a child a bottle, fill it with water or give the child a clean pacifier recommended by a dentist. The only safe liquid to put in a bottle to prevent baby bottle tooth decay is water.
c. Decrease consumption of sugar, especially between meals.
d. Children should be weaned from the bottle as soon as they can drink from a cup, but the bottle should not be taken away too soon, since the sucking motion aids in the development of facial muscles, as well as the tongue.

4. Clean their teeth

Cleaning baby's teeth can begin as soon as the first tooth pokes through the gums.
however, even though the teeth have not fully come out, doctors recommend brushing the gums to rid particles and bacteria. Use a clean, damp washcloth, gauze pad or a finger brush to gently wipe clean the first teeth and front of the tongue. Massage the gums and gingival tissues\
once a day until they turn 12 months old.

As for the toothbrush, it should be soft and have no more than three rows of bristles.
A pea-sized amount of toothpaste should be applied. Toss out any toothbrushes that have become rough or after using 2-4 months. This is because nasty mouth bacteria can begin to build up.

For babys toothbrushing time:

* Nice and gentle
* Sing a song for distraction
* Let baby examine the toothbrush a little bit.
* Colorful silicone finger brushes with nubs are a great way to move to the next level
from a washcloth and then to a brush.

When baby is ready to brush on their own, they will start grabbing for the brush.

5. Bring your baby to their first dental visit after the first tooth erupts. (Typically before age one)
Your baby needs to be healthy, be able to chew and speak, have strong teeth, and a strong jaw.
Medical and Dental professionals recommend that baby's first visit should be
within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months at the latest.

This article is intended to provide an understanding and knowledge about baby bottle syndrome and babies' dental health. Always seek the advice of a professional dentist
with any questions, you may have regarding your child and medical conditions or treatments.

Give Kids a Smile Day! - Smile Central Dental - Feb, 1st, 2019

Announcement post!

We are happy to announce that we will be participating for our 15th year in the "Give kids a smile" movement. On Feb, Friday, 1st, 2019, we will be providing free dental services to those who need it and may very well not have insurance. 

Cited from the American Dental Association:
With the support of the ADA Foundation’s Give Kids A Smile program, launched nationally by the American Dental Association in 2003, more than five million underserved children have received free oral health services over the last 13 years. These free services are provided by approximately 10,000 dentists annually, along with 30,000 other dental team members.

For those who have questions about dental health, dental problems, kids dentistry, braces, and treatment and need to schedule consistent visits with a dentist in the North Jersey area, give us a call at one of our locations nearest you.

Your child has had teeth for a very short while, however, they face
many common dental problems that adults encounter.
Pediatric dentists are specially trained to examine and manage
dental issues in the mouth and jaw.

Acting fast on developing issues can spare your young ones the
unnecessary pain and save time and money.

Tooth decay is extremely common among children. It is caused by bacteria and plaque
acids that attack and destroy tooth enamel. Attention to diet and strict oral hygiene
can help prevent decay.

Thumb sucking is not usually a cause for concern unless it persists after the development of permanent teeth. At this stage, it could affect dental health.
A kids’ dentist can work with your child to find a solution.

Gum disease, also called gingivitis, is an inflammation of gum tissue that can progress
to bone damage and tooth loss. It is often caused by poor oral hygiene.
Your dentist can help reverse early stages of gum disease and improve your
child’s oral hygiene habits.

Bad breath can affect people of any age. Potential sources of mouth odor include
poor dental hygiene, inflames gums, and dry mouth. It may also be related
to medical issues.

An over-retained primary tooth is a baby tooth that remains in position while
a permanent tooth is trying to erupt into the same space. It could indicate
impaction or a congenital abnormality. Early diagnosis ensures a
better outcome.

Tooth grinding is common during childhood development. It can damage primary or
permanent teeth and can even cause pain. Your kid’s dentist can treat the problem
with a custom night guard.

Proper oral care provides early prevention to dental problems and creates
good oral health for a lifetime. If your child does not have a dentist or has not been seen
in a while, call us and schedule a visit. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We are always willing to help.

To request an appointment click here or call