There are several other potential causes for tongue thrust that begin in infancy. Some of these include:

• Long-term sucking habits that influence the tongue’s movement, like sucking of the thumb, fingers, or tongue
• Allergies accompanied by chronically swollen tonsils or adenoids
• Tongue-tie, where the band of tissue beneath the tongue is tight or short
• A swallowing pattern known as reverse swallow

Tongue thrust has a number of telltale signs that manifest in children who have developed the pattern. These can include:

• Tongue is visible between the teeth. The tip of the tongue sticks out between the teeth, whether the child is resting, swallowing, or speaking.
• Mouth breathing.
• Inability to close the lips completely. This could be due to a structural abnormality or habit.
• Open bite. This occurs when the front teeth don’t meet when the teeth are closed.
• Slow, fast, or messy eating.
• Speech impediment. Lisping of s and z sounds is common.

Treatment of Tongue thurst

Tongue thrust often corrects with time or at the age of 8-9 years. Self-correction is due to musculature Balance during swelling.

• Orthodontic treatment can be carried out.
• Speech therapy is indicated.
• If an associated habit is present like thumb sucking than it must be treated first.
• Training the tongue for correct swallow & posture.
• Use of appliances to correct position of tongue.
• Correction of Malocclusion.

Tongue thrust, also known as reverse swallow or deviate swallow, is a condition in which the tongue is pressed up against the teeth or between them while gulping. In many cases, this condition leads to the movement of the tongue incorrectly to the sides, instead of moving forward to the teeth. This improper positioning of the tongue can occur even as the tongue is at rest, and in this case, it will lie too far forward.

Types of Tongue Thrust

Tongue thrust is an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD), having many different types.

• Unilateral thrust when the tongue pushes unilaterally to the sides between the back teeth during swallowing
• Anterior thrust refers to the case when the upper incisors are extremely protruded and lower lip is pulled in by the lower lip.
• Bilateral thrust, when the tongue pushes between the back teeth on both sides during swallowing. Large tongue can also be noted

Tongue thrust in babies

In babies who are breastfed or bottle-fed, tongue thrust is normal. As the child gets older, their swallowing and speaking pattern should evolve.

However, some types of bottle nipples — and prolonged use of a bottle — can lead to an abnormal tongue thrust that lasts past the infant stage and into early childhood.

TO BE CONTINUED…………….

Thumbsucking is a natural reflex for children which gives them gratification.
Thumbsucking Affects Child’s Teeth?

After permanent teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth, alignment of the teeth and changes in the roof of the mouth.

The intensity of the sucking like they are passively or vigorously sucking, determines whether or not dental problems may result.

Children Stop thumbsucking?

Children usually stop sucking between 2-4 years.

Consult your dentist if you notice changes in your child’s primary teeth, or are concerned about your child’s habit.

What should be done for Stopping Thumbsucking?

• Encourage your child for not sucking.
• Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.
• For an older child, ask him to stand in front of mirror and see himself. How he looks and tell what is bad for him.
• Your dentist can praise your child and explain what are the adverse effects of thumb sucking to him.

If these tips don’t work,break the habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night. You can apply asafoetida(hing) or band-aid.

Your dentist or pediatrician may prescribe a bitter medication to coat the thumb or the use of a mouth appliance.

Q- Why do we need toothbrush for brushing our teeth?

The toothbrush is an oral hygiene instrument used to clean the teeth, gums, and tongue and helps in effective plaque removal.. It consists of a head of tightly clustered bristles mounted on a handle which facilitates the cleaning of hard to reach areas of the mouth. Toothbrushes are available with different bristle textures, sizes, and forms.

Q-How many times we need to brush our teeth?

It is generally recommended to brush after every meal. But Twice daily is must.

Q- How to choose a toothbrush?

The size of a toothbrush is important because if the head of the toothbrush is much bigger, then, this might not be able to get into the narrow spaces such as areas in the back of the mouth. A hard toothbrush can seriously damage the teeth and this may even cause the gum line to recede. So a soft toothbrush should be used for efficient cleaning as well as gum health.

Q- Which is better- electrical or manual toothbrush?

Manual toothbrushes and Electric toothbrushes can brush the teeth thoroughly clean if you use them in the proper way.

Both manual and electric toothbrushes come in many shapes and sizes and are typically made of plastic moulded handles and nylon bristles. The most recent toothbrush models include handles that are straight, angled, curved, and contoured with grips and soft rubber areas to make them easier to hold and use. Some people choose an electric toothbrush over a manual toothbrush particularly those who have issues with their shoulders and hands or are suffering from other motor functions.

Q-How to clean the toothbrush?

Thoroughly rinse toothbrushes with tap water after brushing to remove any remaining toothpaste and debris. Store the brush in an upright position if possible and allow the toothbrush to air-dry until used again. If more than one brush is stored in the same holder or area, keep the brushes separated to prevent cross-contamination.

Soaking toothbrushes in an antibacterial mouth rinse after use decrease the level of bacteria that grow on toothbrushes.

Q-Where we Should keep the toothbrush?

Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. A moist environment such as a closed container is more conducive to the growth of microorganisms than the open air.

Q-When should we discard our toothbrush?

Replace toothbrushes at least every 3–4 months. The bristles become frayed and worn with use and cleaning effectiveness will decrease. Toothbrushes will wear out more rapidly depending on factors unique to each patient. Check brushes often for this type of wear and replace them more frequently if needed. Children’s toothbrushes often need replacing more frequently than adult brushes. The ADA recommends that consumers replace toothbrushes approximately every 3–4 months or sooner if the bristles become frayed with use.

Q- If we belong to same family, can we share a toothbrush?

Do not share toothbrushes. Sharing a toothbrush could result in an exchange of body fluids and/or microorganisms between the users of the toothbrush, placing the individuals involved at an increased risk for infections. This practice could be a particular concern for persons with compromised immune systems or existing infectious diseases.

Q- How to brush teeth?

You can brush in a circular motion/Fones’ technique or Modified Stillman’s technique.

Teeth grinding

Bruxism includes various behaviours like:-

• Gnashing of teeth
• Grinding of teeth
• Clenching of teeth
• Gritting of teeth

Signs of teeth grinding-

1. A chipped tooth
2. You have a headache when you wake up
3. TMJ pain disorder
4. Chronic grinding of teeth
5. Pain in jaws
6. Loosening of teeth from the gums
7. Losing of teeth
8. Fracturing of teeth
9. Wearing away of teeth and enamel
10. Receding gums/Recession
11. Recurring headaches
12. Tooth pain

Treatment which really help include:-

• Using a warm, wet washcloth on the jaw in front of earlobe
• Massaging jaw muscles, the neck, and face to relieve tension on trigger points
• Getting physical therapy
• Doing exercises to relax the jaw
• Using muscle relaxants to relax the jaw

Treatments for bruxism designed to reduce symptoms or get rid of teeth grinding include:

• Reducing stress
• Don’t open your mouth too wide.
• Drinking more water

• Getting more sleep
• Not chewing gum or on other objects as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.
• Consciously relaxing the face and jaw throughout the day
• Buying a teeth grinding mouth guard
• Avoiding alcohol, which increases the urge to clench the teeth
• Avoiding caffeine, which can make you jumpy and tense

• Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food.
• Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth.
• If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.

The most popular and widely used of these solutions is mouth guards which are custom fabricated according to your mouth.

It’s never too early to start taking care of your little one’s teeth. Proper oral health care should start when 1^st tooth erupts. Follow these guidelines

Just say no to Bottles in bed

Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup filled with milk, formula, fruit juice, or the sweet liquid. The sugar in these beverages can cause cavities in baby’s teeth, leading to ‘Baby bottle tooth decay’. Give your baby a bottle when it is going to sleep, fill the bottle with water instead.

Be sure your baby drinks fluoridated water

By the time your baby is 6 months old, he or she will require some fluoride for healthy teeth. Most babies can get all of the fluoride they need from the water they drink. Keep in mind that bottled water usually doesn’t have fluoride, however if you have questions for fluoride, talk to your dentist.

Clean your baby’s gum

Twice a day, gently wipe your baby’s gum with a wet, clean, soft cloth. You should start doing this even before your baby’s 1^st tooth erupts. The average age is 6 months, but some infants don’t get their first tooth until they are 14 or 15 months old. Some babies see their first tooth when they are as young as 3 months old!

Brush new teeth   

Once the first tooth erupts in, you can clean them using soft, flexible children’s toothbrush and water. Gently brush its first teeth with a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste .switch to a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste once your child is age 2.

See a Dentist  

Whether it’s the first tooth or first birthday, no matters which happen first –It’s time for your child first dental appointment. Your dentist will examine your child and advice you on any concerns you have, such as thumb sucking .

Thumbsucking is a natural reflex for children which gives them gratification.
Thumbsucking Affects Child’s Teeth?

After permanent teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth, alignment of the teeth and changes in the roof of the mouth.

The intensity of the sucking like they are passively or vigorously sucking, determines whether or not dental problems may result.

Children Stop thumbsucking?

Children usually stop sucking between 2-4 years.

Consult your dentist if you notice changes in your child’s primary teeth, or are concerned about your child’s habit.

What should be done for Stopping Thumbsucking?

• Encourage your child for not sucking.
• Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.
• For an older child, ask him to stand in front of mirror and see himself. How he looks and tell what is bad for him.
• Your dentist can praise your child and explain what are the adverse effects of thumb sucking to him.

If these tips don’t work,break the habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night. You can apply asafoetida(hing) or band-aid.

Your dentist or pediatrician may prescribe a bitter medication to coat the thumb or the use of a mouth appliance.

Bruxism includes various behaviours like:-

• Gnashing of teeth
• Grinding of teeth
• Clenching of teeth
• Gritting of teeth

Signs of teeth grinding-

1. A chipped tooth
2. You have a headache when you wake up
3. TMJ pain disorder
4. Chronic grinding of teeth
5. Pain in jaws
6. Loosening of teeth from the gums
7. Losing of teeth
8. Fracturing of teeth
9. Wearing away of teeth and enamel
10. Receding gums/Recession
11. Recurring headaches
12. Tooth pain

Treatment which really help include:-

• Using a warm, wet washcloth on the jaw in front of earlobe
• Massaging jaw muscles, the neck, and face to relieve tension on trigger points
• Getting physical therapy
• Doing exercises to relax the jaw
• Using muscle relaxants to relax the jaw

Treatments for bruxism designed to reduce symptoms or get rid of teeth grinding include:

• Reducing stress
• Don’t open your mouth too wide.
• Drinking more water

• Getting more sleep
• Not chewing gum or on other objects as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.
• Consciously relaxing the face and jaw throughout the day
• Buying a teeth grinding mouth guard
• Avoiding alcohol, which increases the urge to clench the teeth
• Avoiding caffeine, which can make you jumpy and tense

• Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food.
• Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth.
• If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.

The most popular and widely used of these solutions is mouth guards which are custom fabricated according to your mouth.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but other teeth may also be affected.

Most common cause is the frequent, prolonged exposure of the baby’s teeth to drinks that contain sugar.

Tooth decay can occur when the baby is put to bed with a bottle, or when a bottle is used as a pacifier.

• Don’t share spoon with your baby.

• After each feeding, wipe your child’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or cotton cloth.

• When your child’s teeth come in, brush them gently with a child-size toothbrush and a grain of rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste until the age of 3.

• Brush the teeth with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste from the ages of 3 to 6.

• Supervise brushing until your child can be counted on to spit and not swallow toothpaste—usually not before he or she is 6 or 7.

• Place only formula, milk or breast milk in bottles.

• Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks. Infants should finish their bedtime and nap time bottles before going to bed.

• If your child uses a pacifier, provide a clean one-don’t dip it in sugar or honey.

• Encourage your child to drink from a cup by his/her first birthday.

• Encourage healthy eating habits.