When is Thumb-Sucking a Cause for Worry? Whitlock Orthodontics Explain

Lots of you have asked us at Whitlock Orthodontics about whether it’s healthy for children to suck thumbs (or, less frequently, fingers). If you’ve got a thumb-sucker in the house, you are not alone. Research tells us that between 75% and 95% of infants suck their thumbs. Is this anything to worry about?

In most cases, no. Sucking is a natural reflex for an infant, and can provide security and contentment as well as relaxation for your little one. It’s a habit that most children grow out of between the ages of 2 and 4.

However, if your child keeps sucking after he’s gotten his permanent teeth, it’s time to take a closer look. If your child sucks his thumb aggressively, putting pressure on the inside of his mouth or his teeth, it could cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. If you’re worried, give us a call at Whitlock Orthodontics and we will help assess the situation, and provide tips for how to help your child break the habit.

Whitlock Orthodontics Holds Soldier Drive to Help Support Our Troops

Help support our troops by participating in Whitlock Orthodontics' soldier drive!

Right now and running until June 11th, bring in the following items and receive extra punches on your punch card!

Plus you will be entered into a drawing to win a basket FULL of fireworks!

The items donated will be used in care packages that Whitlock Orthodontics will send to troops in Iraq on the 4th of July!

Here are the items that we need:

Hygiene Items:

Antibacterial Hand Soap
Men and Women's Deodorant
Bar Soap
Body Wash
Mouth Wash
Wet Wipes
Gold Bond Powder
Baby Powder
Shampoo/Conditioner
Men and Women's Body Spray

First Aid Items:

Advil
Sun Block
Aloe Vera
Vaseline
Q-Tips
Lotion
Eye Drops

Food Items:

Candy
Beef Jerky
Ramen Noodles
EZ Mac
Granola Bars
Protein Bars
Trail Mix

Entertainment Items:

Playing Cards
Books
Calling Cards
DVDs
Note Pad
Pens/Pencils
Disposable Cameras



Thanks from Whitlock Orthodontics and good luck!

Win an IPOD NANO from Whitlock Orthodontics

Don’t miss out on our new patient referral contest at Whitlock Orthodontics! Refer three people to our office and you will AUTOMATICALLY win an Ipod Nano of your choice! It’s that easy. Hurry and drop by our office to pick up your referral cards, or grab them at your next appointment. Don't miss out on this great opportunity from Whitlock Orthodontics!

Congratulations to Tanner from Whitlock Orthodontics!

At Whitlock Orthodontics, we understand that going through orthodontic treatment is a big deal! Part of that is keeping consistent appointments and keeping your appliances clean. To reward you for all of your hard work, we hold contests with exciting prizes. For our last contest, we had a referral contest. Every time you referred someone to our office, we entered your name in a drawing. This time around the prize was a BRAND NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE!

The lucky winner? Tanner L!
Congratulations Tanner, we hope you enjoy your new bike.

--Whitlock Orthodontics

Behind the Scenes Braces: Lingual Braces Are Hidden Behind Your Teeth at Whitlock Orthodontics

Who says braces are just for kids? Certainly not the estimated 1 million adults in the United States and Canada who have chosen orthodontic treatment as the route to better oral health and emotional well-being.

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, there are about 5 million U.S. and Canadian orthodontic patients; of that number, the AAO estimates that one out of five of these patients are over the age of 18.

Which means you probably know an adult who is wearing braces – but you wouldn’t know it from looking! Many adults today choose to undergo treatment via lingual or iBraces, which are attached to the backs of the teeth and, therefore, are less visible than traditional braces.

Though lingual or iBraces aren't for everybody – they don't solve all orthodontic problems, and they generally prolong treatment time somewhat – they represent one of the treatment options now available to adults considering braces. We’re happy to answer your questions about treatment with lingual or iBraces at Whitlock Orthodontics!

The Tooth Fairy with Whitlock Orthodontics

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! We understand what a significant time this is at Whitlock Orthodontics, so we 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!

Smoke Screen with Withlock Orthodontics

Everybody knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you also know that smokers and tobacco are susceptible to a variety of oral health problems at a faster rate than non-smokers?

It’s true! Smoking is responsible for almost 75% of gum disease in adults; and, similar to smokers, adults who smoke pipes and cigars, as well as those using smokeless tobacco, are just as susceptible to gum disease and other tobacco related health problems.

As soon as you use tobacco products, you become more likely to experience any of these oral-health problems:

• Oral cancer
• Gum disease
• Tooth loss
• Loss of bone in the jaw
• Gum recession
• Delayed/impaired healing process after oral surgery or any other treatment
• Decreased success rate of dental implant (tooth replacement) procedures
• Mouth sores
• Loss of your sense of taste and smell
• Bad breath
• Tooth and tongue stains

If you are interested in protecting your oral health we strongly recommend you quit using tobacco products! The following steps are recommended by the Surgeon General to help you quit smoking and using tobacco:

• Get ready – set a quitting date and remove all materials from your home, car and office
• Get support
• Learn new skills and behaviors
• Get medication and use it correctly
• Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations

For support, start with Whitlock Orthodontics! We can help by recommending different options to help you quit, and above all we will support you throughout the quitting process. We are dedicated to helping you protect your oral health – and quitting smoking is significant step in the right direction.