Habit Therapy Solutions

The Habit Therapy Solutions

We will start with behavior and cognitive therapy. Sometimes it only takes a good conversation with Dr. Pan for your child to realize what the problem is and stop the habit. Of course, we need a team approach where family can provide positive reinforcement to encourage the child to break the habit. Some malocclusion is self-corrected after stopping the habit.

For a patient who sucks their finger or thumb, heavy pressure to the roof of the mouth and the negative pressure created by the motion of sucking can often result in a high vault, narrow mouth that is doomed for more problems, such as crowding, crossbite, and facial asymmetry. We have had huge success with a rapid palatal expander, which not only physically occupies the space for the finger or thumb against the roof of the mouth, but also reverses the damage finger sucking has caused to the palate.

Another simple device to correct both thumb sucking and tongue thrusting is called a tongue crib. Once Dr. Pan and you consult and evaluate the situation, a tongue crib can be easily fitted and will correct the problem in a very short period of time.

Once X-rays are taken, digital impressions are made of the teeth. A tongue crib or expander is a custom-fabricated appliance made from the model that comes from the dental impression. The appliance is a semicircular set of wires fixed to the upper teeth. The wires prevent the thumb or finger from touching the gums behind the teeth. It removes the enjoyment of sucking the thumb. Basically, it looks like a retainer you wear after braces. The tongue crib will have the same positive results for tongue thrusting.

If you or your child grinds their teeth, a simple solution that Dr. Pan can help you with is the fitting of a night guard. Visually looking like a sports mouth guard, the night guard will create a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to stop any grinding damage, and then, acting as a cushion, it will reduce the stress and relax the muscles that are associated with the temporomandibular joint. This is the joint between your lower jaw and your skull, which takes a lot of abuse when grinding.