Is it true that sucking can cause a child's teeth to decay? This was said by a Lecturer at FKG UM Surabaya

• 06 May
• 2023

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Is it true that sucking can cause a child's teeth to decay? This was said by a Lecturer at FKG UM Surabaya

• Article
• By Uswah Sahal
• Health
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Many children under the age of three have a habit of sucking or sucking milk from a sucker. So is it true that sucking can cause a child's teeth to fall out when they grow up?

UM Surabaya Faculty of Dentistry (FKG) lecturer R. Sabda Alam said that sucking can affect the growth of a child's teeth and have the risk of causing a child's teeth to become crooked. According to his explanation, when a child sucks, the muscles in the mouth press the cheeks inward and the tongue upwards to suck milk from the bottle so that the vacuum pressure generated by the sucking motion can cause the upper and lower front teeth to move forward which affects the jaw bones. the top of the child is moving forward and changing the shape of the child's palate.

"If a child continues to suck, the roof of his mouth can become narrower, coupled with inward cheek pressure that will affect the jawbone and the position of the teeth will narrow and cause the teeth to become crooked," said Sabda Saturday (6/5/ 23)

Sabda said that the role of parents is very important to change the habit of sucking in children. In accordance with the children's insight which is still minimal, at the same time parents can help by providing other objects (replacing) that can be held by the child which can train the child's desire not to suckle.

"If the child has already sucked, you should immediately consult a dentist to find out the right course of action," he added.

Furthermore, he emphasized that children who are used to using pacifiers for too long can also cause other dental problems such as cavities and gum infections. Therefore, it is advisable to limit the use of pacifiers in children and if possible immediately stop the habit of sucking when the child's teeth start to grow.

According to him also, the habit of sucking can put pressure on the teeth and gums, which can change the position of the teeth and cause problems with an uneven arrangement of teeth such as crowded or misaligned teeth.

“Continuous pressure on the jaw can also affect the growth of a child's jaw and facial bones. Therefore, it is recommended that children stop sucking on their nipples immediately after reaching the age of 1 year, to prevent the risk of overbites in the future," he added.

Sabda, who is also the Dean of FKG UM Surabaya, emphasized that the habit of sucking can also increase the risk of ear infections and interfere with children's speech development. When a child sucks continuously, he tends to inhale through his mouth which can cause changes in the shape of the jaw and interfere with the growth of teeth and facial bones.

“It is also important to pay attention to the child's eating and drinking patterns. Consumption of foods and drinks that have too much sugar or acid can cause damage to the teeth and cause cavities or even damage to the tooth enamel. Instead, provide healthy and balanced food and drink, such as fruits, vegetables, milk, and water," he said.

He appealed to parents to teach their children to brush their teeth properly and regularly from an early age. Children should start brushing their teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride.

For parents, if your child has dental or mouth problems, such as overlapping teeth or cavities, don't hesitate to contact the dentist to get the right treatment. Proper and timely treatment can help prevent more serious dental and oral problems and help keep your child's teeth and mouth healthy.

"Getting into the habit of preventing dental problems before they become more complex is part of the healthy behavior recommended by all dentists," said Sabda.