Hannah has sucked her thumb since she was 4mos old. She would always suck when she had her blanket so bedtime, naptime, in the car, and just watching TV. So we found a pediatric dentist in Victoria that we go to. She's had her teeth cleaned twice and did great. I asked about the thumb sucking and he suggested this appliance. I was a little hesitant because I thought...she will HATE this. Is this taking her "comfort thing" away etc... Anyway after thinking and waiting awhile we decided to go ahead and get this appliance.
She first went and they took an impression of her mouth (she did super..I was kinda worried about that)...then 2 weeks later we go to pick it up. They glued the bands to her back molars (same glue like when you get braces) then the pink thing you see is a spindle ball that just spins when she puts her thumb in her mouth. There is no poking or any pain involved with this at all which is good or I wouldn't have done this. She can still eat really anything just no gum or really sticky candy which she doesn't need anyway.
The first 2wks or so the would still put her thumb in her mouth...I thought great we're paying for this thing and it's not working. We went at 4wks for a "check up" he said that was common and it just takes awhile to break the habit. But once the habit is broken she'll be done sucking. Seriously by 6wks...NO MORE THUMB SUCKING. She never cried or complained about this thing, she still took naps, and she quit carrying her blanket around all the time.
We get to take it out in August which means she would have had this in for 5mos or so. I ask her if she wants to suck her thumb or if she misses it...she just says "No" and carries on with business. So I'm so glad we did this. The dentist said that when they're young like this (she was 3yr 5mos when we got it put in) if you correct the habit their muscles and bone structure can possibly move back and you can avoid braces etc. So we'll see.
We have dental insurance and this counts as an orthodontic appliance so they covered half of the cost. So for other thumb-suckers out there I would say check it out! It's been great and will hopefully help us out in the long run.
3 comments:
I totally had one of those but I did not get it until I was 6 so it was alot harder on me. I cried for the first 2 days non stop and then just got over it and never sucked my thumb again. So glad you did it!
that is so great!! we got soph's ears pierced to bribe her and now she can only suck in her bed. it has worked great, she only sucks in bed but since hannah has stopped altogether i wonder if we should go that route...hmmmm. the dentist did already say it has affected her bite and that she will need braces :(. hope you are feeling great!! these baby boys will be here before we know it!!
Yea! What a big girl! Im so glad ya'll have a wise pedodontist that suggested that. Theories chg regarding this from time to time and when you were a thumb sucker (till age 8- just at bedtime) the current theory at that time was to do speech therapy for the tongue thrust about age 7-8.different DDS have diff philosophies on this...but Im glad this was a good solution for you. May save you a bunch of $$$$$$$$ for braces. :)
PS your DH mom is VERY glad you are actively involved in your kids dental health! Go Kel!
Love you, Mom
PS It'll be Caleb's turn for one before too long ;)
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