Are there any Dentists o n MN?

[Klaw]

dd sucks two fingers and cradles her Doggy for comfort. I'm worried about it affecting her teeth as I recall the nightmare years I suffered in having braces in my teens.

I've asked in Behaviour/Development and it was suggested that I'm worrying a little prematurely. How much can sucking her two fingers affect her teeth? The top teeth do currently sit in front of the bottom teeth...

If sucking her fingers will not affect her teeth I won't bother so much with breaking the association between them and her doggy, but if it will then I'm determined to find a gentle and kind way to get Doggy 'removed'.

Klaw I'm replying to this to remind me to ring my sister and ask her - she's a dentist

It may take me a day or two to get hold of her but I will certainly ask

Think there is a poster called comeoveneer who is or used to be a dentist.

Thanks MamaG, and TurkeyLurkey.

Would Comeoverneer look at the Health boards?

Might do a shout for her,

and if your sis has any opinions, I'd be grateful MamaG. BTW, when you coming up this way again, is it still on?

Klaw, how old is your dd? I spoke to my dentist about ds (2.5) who sucks his thumb & we can see his teeth appear crooked already. He said that its not really an issue until they start to lose their milk teeth & get their adult teeth through. He suggested that when ds is about 3 or so to then start trying to break the habit gently.

Rosmerta, thanks for your reply, dd is 3.1 yrs, hence my growing anxiety....

Obviously I'm not a dentist but going on what mine told me, it might be time to start gently breaking the habit!

I don't think COV is going to be around for the next couple of days but will point her over here when she's back on.

Thank you Rosmerta!

Klaw
i would start to worry when the adult teeth start to come in. the upper front teeth tend to come in around 6 to 7 years old- the problem i found is that the longer you let them suck their thum etc the harder it is to stop them?? i know orthodontics isnt pleasent but at least if you can't stop your LO the tooth problem can be fixed. orthodontic assesments cant normally be done untill around 11 years old upwards you dentist will keep a good eye on things and problems can be picked up early if you go regulally, try not to worry too much XXX