It is normal for children to have unhealthy oral habits. Some of such habits include thumb sucking, nail biting, lip biting, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing etc. The importance of these appliances can be estimated by the effect of pernicious habits. If these habits are not controlled, they may lead to periodontal diseases, change in the shape of jaws & change in the teeth position.
Types Of Habit Breaking Appliance:
- Thumb Sucking
- Tongue thrusting
EFFECT
If your child has a thumb or finger sucking habit that has persisted past the age of five, and you have been unable to tame it, a more permanent solution to thumb sucking is an appliance called a fixed palatal crib or a rake-style appliance.
APPLIANCES
Appliances usually use ridges that make it impossible for the thumb to come in contact with the palate, right behind the front teeth where this behavior can cause the most damage. The ridges on the thumb-sucking appliance also make it impossible to create suction and greater force when their thumb is in the mouth.
EFFECT
Mouth breathing
Tongue thrusting, a common behavior, is the habit of placing the tongue in the wrong position during swallowing.The tongue can be placed either to the sides or too forward. Besides the pressure exerted while swallowing, nervous thrusting also pushes the tongue against the teeth while it is at rest.
APPLIANCES
Using habit breaking appliance is regarded as the most effective way to treat this condition. On such device is oral screen. The oral screen prevents the inhaled air to enter the oral cavity. The oral cavity can also be closed.The oral screen is a very thin rubber membrane that is commonly fitted onto the buccal & labial teeth surfaces.
EFFECT
Consequences of Non-Treatment
When left unaddressed, these habits can have a negative effect on the alignment of your child’s teeth. Malocclusion, or a misaligned bite, can create dental problems, jaw pain, headaches, and cosmetic issues that may take years and thousands of dollars to correct.
APPLIANCES
Habit breaking appliances can work in a matter of weeks to months. Once your child has kicked the habit for good, the appliance can be removed.