Tongue Thrusts and Thumb Sucking

What Is A Tongue Thrust?

A tongue thrust is an abnormal placement of the tongue or a deviant swallowing pattern that causes the tongue to push against or between the teeth. Other facial muscles also function incorrectly during a tongue thrust.

Infants utilize tongue thrust actions for feeding purposes. However, by the time a child reaches the stage of mixed dentition (both permanent and baby teeth), tongue thrust actions should disappear.

What Are the Results of A Tongue Thrust?

Abnormal placement of the tongue or an incorrect swallowing pattern can result in malocclusion of the teeth. Therapy can help to retrain the muscles involved in swallowing and aid in correcting resting posture of the tongue and lips and in creating and maintaining a h ealthy oral environment. Because the orthodontic process can be hindered by the tongue thrust action, we recommend that our patients who need braces seek an evaluation when we feel it is appropriate.

What Can Be Done To Help?

An intense myofunctional therapy program may be recommended to eliminate tongue thrust behaviors, improve tongue and lip resting posture, and alleviate related oral habits (thumb sucking, etc.). A professional who specializes in this area usually carries out the program. In less severe instances these therapy sessions will be held in our office.

Tongue Retraining

Various “reminders” can be used to help re-train the tongue.

1. A “basket” or “crib” can be placed behind the upper front teeth to catch the tongue before it can be placed between the teeth.

2. Little metal spurs can be placed behind the lower front teeth to restrain the tongue before it p asses over the lower front teeth.These types of reminders can be quite irritating for several days after placement. Please be assured that everything will become comfortable within a few days. You may use any form of non-prescription pain reliever that you would normally use during this period.

3. A very simple type of reminder may be used in a retainer type of device. A “bump” or “hole” can be placed in the plastic behind the upper front teeth. This form of reminder is not uncomfortable at all, but may be necessary on a long-term basis.

4. A sugarless lifesaver can be placed on the roof of the mouth behind the upper front teeth. The tip of the tongue is then placed in the “hole” of the lifesaver while swallowing. This can be done at various times throughout the day when speech is not necessary.

Thumb and Finger Sucking

We all know that thumb sucking can cause very serious dental and orthodontic problems. If this habit is stopped at an early age (two to three years), in most cases no long-term ill effects are likely. However, if continued beyond this age, permanent changes will usually occur. If thumb sucking is discontinued, orthodontic treatment alone is almost always successful in a child who is still growing. Even orthodontics, however, cannot overcome the continued effects of this habit.

There are various ways to overcome this problem. We have had a high degree of success in assisting our patients in solving this problem.

Mouth Breathing

(Due to allergies, nasal obstruction, enlarged adenoids, etc.)

We place great emphasis on the airway. The way a child breathes can definitely affect the development of the jaws. Normal breathing occurs with the lips together, inhaling through the nose. Narrow nasal openings are a sign that breathing is occurring mainly through the mouth. Another sign of mouth breathing is red, swollen gums. There are several causes of mouth breathing:

1. Enlarged adenoids

2. Allergies that can cause nasal blockage

3. Under-developed nasal passages

4. Malocclusions (bad bites) that are characterized by the upper teeth and jaws being so far forward that the lips cannot easily close

5. Deviated nasal septum

6. Enlarged nasal turbinates

These conditions cause the lower jaw to grow downward, which then causes an “open bite.” This condition is exhibited when the front teeth do not meet.

How can you tell when there is an airway problem? Below is a list of symptoms and signs.

1. Chronic open mouth position

2. Gummy smile

3. Swollen gums

4. Chronic dark circles under the eyes

5. A crease on the nose (about 1/3 of the way up from the tip)

6. “Pouting” lower lip

7. Short upper lip

8. Narrow “V” shaped upper jaw

9. Upper teeth in “bucked” position

10. Chronic chapped or cracked lips

11. Excessive snoring

Since ninety percent of growth is accomplished by age twelve, it is important to begin treatment very early. Typical treatment in our office includes a combination of expanders and braces.

“Easy on Teeth” Recipes

Really Simple Sloppy Joe's
1 lb. ground round
1 bottle of Heinz chili sauce
1/2 small onion (finely diced)
Mustard
Thoroughly brown the ground round and diced onions over medium heat in a medium pan, stirring occasionally to make sure the meat breaks up. When thoroughly browned, add 1 bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce. Then fill empty bottle 1/3 to 1/2 way with water. Shake to mix remaining sauce, and pour into mixture. Reduce heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Spoon mixture on to hamburger buns and spread a dab of mustard.

Doc McDermott's Corn Pudding
1 can cream-style corn
2 eggs, well beaten
1 Tbsp either bacon drippings or melted butter
1 l/2 Tbsp sugar (or Splenda)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 1-quart glass dish. In a bowl combine the corn, eggs, butter or drippings, and sugar, and pour into the greased dish. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

Rodabough Redd Beans, Rice, and Sausage
Re1 pkg red beans and rice mix (recommend Zatarain's)
1/2 lb. smoked or Polish sausage
1 Tbsp butter or oil
1/2 small onion, diced
In a medium saucepan, add butter or oil and onions. Sauté until tender. Add water and the red beans and rice mix to pan. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Slice sausage into thin slices and add to the mixture for the last 10 minutes of the simmering. Remove from heat, let stand for 2-3 minutes before serving. This tastes GREAT and is easy to chew and swallow!

Easy Noodles Romanoff
Combine one medium onion (chopped), one half pound of cooked noodles, one cup sour cream, one cup cottage cheese, and a half cup of grated cheddar cheese in a baking dish. Bake for about a half hour at 325 degrees.

Bankhead's Incredible Edible Tuna Pasta
1 box of macaroni and cheese
1/2 cup of milk
1 can of tuna
1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup

Prepare macaroni and cheese per box instructions. Stir in mushroom soup, milk, and tuna. Heat to serving temperature. Makes 3 servings.

Potato Pancakes
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 diced small onion
1-1/2 Tbsp flour
1/8 tsp baking powder
1/8 cup of milk
1-1/2 cups of cubed raw potatoes

Blend egg, onion, salt, flour, baking powder, and milk in blender until smooth. Pour into a greased frying pan to form pancakes. Cook until brown on both sides. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Makes 6 servings.

Mixed Fruit Smoothies
Quick, colorful, and delicious, these four-ingredient fruity shakes are as good-looking as they are good for you.

2 bananas chilled
2/3 cup strawberries or mango slices
1 12-ounce can grape juice or mango, apricot, strawberry, or other fruit nectar, chilled
1 8-ounce carton fat-free yogurt
1 Tbsp honey (optional)

Combine bananas; strawberries or mango slices; grape juice or fruit nectar; yogurt; and, if desired, honey in a blender container. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into six tall, chilled glasses. If desired, sprinkle with ground pistachio nuts. Makes 6 smoothies.

Note: For two-tone smoothies, make mango smoothies and strawberry smoothies. Transfer to separate pitchers or glass measuring cups. Taking a pitcher or cup in each hand, slowly pour both smoothies at the same time into opposite sides of the glass.

Frosty Fruit Smoothie
1 medium banana, peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup orange, pineapple, grape, or apple juice or low-calorie cranberry juice, chilled
½ cup fat free milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 ice cubes
In a blender, combine the banana chunks, chilled fruit juice, milk, vanilla, and ice cubes. Cover and blend until frothy. Pour mixture into glasses. Serve immediately.

Critter Shake
Place 2 scoops ice cream, 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup, and 2 jelly snakes in a blender and process on medium for 30 seconds. Add 2 strawberries, 2 crushed chocolate biscuits, and 1/2 cup milk and process on medium for another 30 seconds. Add 1/2 cup crushed ice.

Tangy Cherry Milkshake (sugar free)
3/4 cup (approximately 12) cherries, rinsed and halved
1/2 cup fruit-sweetened cherry yogurt
1/3 cup 1% milk
Sweetener as sweet as 2 teaspoons sugar, such as 1 packet Equal® or NutraSweet® (caution: some people have concerns about aspartame, the primary ingredient)

Fully freeze the cherries. Freeze the yogurt for an hour. Thoroughly purée all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Serve immediately. Makes one portion.

Is Invisalign Really Customized for Each Patient?

Yes, it is, and that’s part of what makes it work. If you were a candidate for Invisalign treatment, the first thing we’d do is to take an impression of your teeth as they are now and digitize it. Using special software, we would then look at this current positioning and compare that to the ideal placement of your teeth – in other words, exactly where we would want them to end up.

Next we’d use the software to map out the exact path your teeth would take from now through the end of your treatment. Based on this precise prescription, a set of custom aligners would be created specially for your teeth. Throughout the course of treatment, you’d wear these clear, removable aligners one at a time, each one moving your teeth closer and closer to their final, perfectly aligned position. And the whole time it would be your secret, since the aligners are virtually invisible!

Drs Bankhead, McDermott & Rodabough are Premier Invisalign providers. If you have questions about Invisalign, or would like to find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign treatment, give us a call at one of our offices.

When Are Two Phases of Treatment Necessary?

Usually patients in orthodontic treatment already have their permanent teeth – but in some cases we have to start treatment earlier, even before the patient’s permanent teeth come in. We call this “two-phase treatment.”

When we have patients with clear developmental problems at an early age, it’s best to start work when they are young, before the problems get bigger and more difficult to treat. Examples include an upper or lower jaw that is not growing correctly, or a mouth growing in a way that doesn’t leave enough room for all the permanent teeth to come in. In these cases we will start early and do one round of treatment – phase one – while the patient still has “baby teeth.”

We’ll follow up with phase two usually a few years later, when permanent the patient’s permanent teeth have come in. Phase two usually involves a full set of braces, or Invisalign. In order to catch early problems, we recommend that children have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven (and so does the American Association of Orthodontics). However, if your dentist or pediatrician sees any sign that early treatment might be necessary, he or she may recommend your child visit an orthodontist even sooner. For more information about two-phase orthodontics, or to schedule a consultation with either Dr. Bankhead, Dr. McDermott, or Dr. Rodabough or visit our web site.

Remeber to Visit Your Dentist Regularly!

Are you brushing your teeth twice a day? If yes, that’s great; but don’t forget that it’s also important to visit the dentist every six months in addition to your normal orthodontic visits. Regular dental checkups are important for maintaining good oral health. Your dentist can:• Check for problems that might not be seen or felt• Detect cavities and early signs of decay• Treat oral health problems early• Show you how to properly brush and floss your teethDuring an oral exam the doctor will check the health of your mouth, teeth, gums, cheeks and tongue. Checkups will also include a thorough teeth cleaning and polishing. If you have not been to the dentist in the last six months, it’s time for you to schedule an appointment!

Now That I Have Braces, What Can I Eat?

You just got braces and the orthodontist has informed you that over the next several months you will want to avoid eating anything sticky, hard, crunchy, or chewy. What does this leave for you to eat? Lettuce? Nothing?

Luckily, there was someone else wondering the same thing when she first got braces! Brenda Waterman, 13, decided she was going to find a way to have her cake and eat it too, so she created a variety of “braces-friendly” recipes that allow you to enjoy your favorite treats without interfering with your orthodontic care! Her cookbook, “The Braces Cookbook: Recipes you (and your Orthodontist) will Love,” gives patients a variety of delicious recipes, safe to eat with braces; plus additional tips and advice for packing lunches, what to eat at parties, and braces-friendly restaurant dishes! There’s even a section with tips for dealing with the soreness that can occur when your braces or appliance are adjusted. Enjoy the foods you love – even with braces!
Here is a delicious, sneak peek recipe from “The Braces Cookbook:”

Wonderful Waffles

Forget the recipe that came with your waffle iron – this recipe will redefine fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. The secret to delicious waffles is letting the batter "sit" for five minutes before pouring into the waffle iron. Top cooked waffles with syrup, jam, fresh fruit or even whipped cream. Makes about 5 servings!

Preheat your waffle iron according to the directions. You may want to lightly spray it with vegetable oil before heating.
• 3 cups flour
• 2 Tbl + 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbl sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
In a large bowl, whisk (or use electric mixer on low) together all ingredients. Let batter sit for about five minutes to activate the baking powder.

When waffle iron is ready, pour about 1/3 cup of batter onto each of the four squares (experiment with your iron – you don't want the batter overflowing). Gently close the cover and set your timer as the manufacturer suggests. Do not lift the cover while they bake. When done, carefully lift one edge with a flat spatula and pull the waffle away from the iron. Keep waffles warm on a plate under a clean dishtowel while the others bake.

Good Breath Gone Bad! - Drs Bankhead, McDermott & Rodabough

Bad breath can be a real downer, especially when you are out on a date with that or boy you’ve had a crush on all semester! However, bad breath can be prevented!

Bad breath, or as your doctor may call it “halitosis,” is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grows in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food in your mouth and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds making your breath smell. Some foods, like garlic and onions, may contribute more to bad breath because of oils the food the food releases, and smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

There are several myths around bad breath. Here are some common myths and the truth behind it all:

Myth #1: Mouthwash will make my breath smell better

Mouthwash will make your breath smell better, but it is only a temporary fix. If you use mouthwash, just know that you will still need to brush and floss when you get the chance as mouthwash alone will not kill all of the bacteria producing germs in your mouth. When choosing a mouthwash, pick an antiseptic with plaque-reducing compounds. Also make sure any dental products you choose comes with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of approval!

Myth #2: I brush my teeth; I will never have bad breath

Brushing your teeth will save you from having breath, but the truth is most people only brush their teeth for about 30-45 seconds! You need to brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes, twice a day to give your teeth a thorough cleansing. It’s also important to brush your tongue, which is where a majority of odor causing bacteria like to hang out. Lastly, flossing to remove food and plaque between the teeth will also help reduce your chances of having bad breath!

Myth #3: If I don’t smell it, then my breath is fresh

This is a false assumption in every sense of the word! The truth is that the breath you breathe out is not the same breath coming out when you talk to someone. When you breathe you are not using your throat as you do when you are talking; and when you talk more breath moves over the back of your mouth where bacteria is causing bad breath.

#1 TRUTH: Brush your teeth twice a day (for at least 2 minutes), floss at least once and visit your dentist every six months…this way your breath will always be fresh! Not letting your nerves get the best of you on your date? That’s up to you!!!

The Tooth Fairy - Drs Bankhead, McDermot & Rodabough

The Tooth Fairy - Drs Bankhead, McDermott & Rodabough
Losing your first tooth, or any baby tooth for that matter, can be exciting! Your baby tooth may be gone, but in no time you will have a bigger, “grown-up” tooth in its place. So what do you do with the lost tooth? That’s simple…place it under your pillow at night and when you are fast asleep the tooth fairy will come and whisk your tooth away leaving behind a special gift just for you! Here’s a simple craft project I found a little while back that will help make the tooth fairy’s job a little easier and give your tooth a special place to stay until it is taken away. Please click on the link for instructions and pictures!Tooth Fairy “Tooth” Box(remember to ask your parents for help when using hot glue and scissors)What you will need• I large empty match box• Enough felt to wrap the box and inside sliding tray• Ribbon • Glue (tacky glue or a hot glue gun)• Markers• White, pink and blue (or your favorite color) felt for decorating the matchbox• Scissors Step 1: Pull the inner tray out of the box and line the inside with glue and felt as shown. Wrap the outside of the box with felt and glue it in place.Step 2: Glue ribbon to the outside of the box in a hanging loop shape. Fold another piece of ribbon in half and glue it to the bottom of the inner tray to create a handle for sliding it in and out.Step 3: Draw a tooth shape on paper, cut it out, and trace it onto the white felt twice. Cut out the teeth and face details.Step 4: Decorate the teeth with the eyes and cheeks and draw on a mouth. Glue one tooth to the outside of the box. Step 5: Create a tooth pocket by applying glue to the sides and bottom of the remaining tooth as shown, leaving an opening at the top. Glue the pocket to the inside tray. Once the glue dries, the box is Tooth Fairy-ready. Have your child put the tooth inside the inner pocket and hang it outside their door before your child goes to bed!

Baby Teeth and Gums Need Special Care!!! Bankhead, McDermott & Rodabough Orthodontics

One question we hear all the time is “When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?”You should begin regular cleanings even before your baby has teeth. After each breast feeding – or bottle-feeding – use a clean, damp washcloth to gently rub your baby’s gum tissue. You can wrap the material around one finger to make it easier to remove any food bits from your baby’s mouth. When your baby’s first tooth comes in switch to a baby toothbrush. Look for special baby toothbrushes in your drugstore – they have just a few bristles and are very soft. There are even brushes shaped like finger puppets that fit over the tip of your pointer finger! All you need at this point is water – no toothpaste yet.After a few more teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste, but you only need a tiny bit, and make sure it doesn’t contain fluoride for the first three years. From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing. That way, he or she will already have the good habit of spitting when you switch to fluoride toothpaste, which should never be swallowed. If you have any questions about caring for your baby’s teeth, please contact Drs. Bankhead, McDermott and Rodabough.

Understanding Cavities - Bankhead, McDermott & Rodabough Orthodontics

One word nobody wants to hear when they visit the dentist is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do they happen? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.
So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by your dentist, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit your dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

Warrenton Opens!