tudies have shown that bad oral health care in kids can lead to poor social relationships and impaired school performance. But let us start from the beginning. Young parents who have infants or young people who have siblings will notice that sucking is the instinctive response of a child as this helps him breastfeed. In fact, thumb sucking begins when the foetus is about 15 weeks old and can last till a child is about five or six. However, there are some adults who still suck their thumbs!
So, how can you make your young sibling or infant kick this habit? The most effective technique by far is to get ‘hay-rakes’ cemented onto the teeth. These are sharp prongs that can cause discomfort. There are plenty of other ways to discourage thumb sucking. Make sure that you give your child all the attention he or she needs and ensure that you always keep him or her busy.
Thumb sucking is not a problem until the permanent teeth appear. But if continued with, it can lead to the formation of irregular teeth, buck teeth, pronunciation problems, and sometimes even problems with swallowing. Another habit that results in speech defects is the pushing of the tongue against the teeth. There are many children and young people who show signs of this behaviour. On average a person swallows about 3,000 times a day. Usually this habit does not last long and comes to a stop by the time a child is six. But there are those who continue thrusting their tongues against their teeth causing alignment problems and other such defects.
There are several factors that contribute to the problems mentioned above, most common being the use of artificial nipples. Breast-fed babies do not have such a problem. Nasal congestion and allergies also play their part because they cause breathing difficulties. So, be aware of the dangers as the habit can not only affect the speech but can also cause lateral lisps in children and sometimes permanent damage to the teeth. The third most common paediatric dental problem is breathing through the mouth. The normal way to healthy breathing is through the nose. However, there are some kids and teens who breathe through their mouths leading to various complexities. First, this is not a safe way to breathe. Second, it can cause complications to the dental and bone structure of the face. If this is not treated in time, it can result in an abnormality to the face, hindering the growth of bones and teeth. Sleep is also affected and as a result hampers overall development.
So, if you notice that your sibling or child has this problem, consult your paediatrician. In short, it is important to visit a dentist during early childhood because cavities could begin to develop in the primary teeth. And contrary to popular belief, primary teeth should be protected so that they are lost only when it is time and not to decay, removal, or other injuries. Dental care is important at all stages of life but especially when one is young so that one remains free from dental disease for the rest of his or her life.

The writer is Senior Consultant Dental Surgeon, Prosthodontist and Oral Implantologist
Max Healthcare