孩童的牙齒會受到安撫奶嘴或吸吮拇指的影響嗎？
簡而言之，會的。雖然吸吮拇指或使用奶嘴是嬰兒的自然反應，但長時間的吸吮會對他們的牙齒和下巴施加壓力。如果您的孩子經常吸拇指、手指、奶嘴或嘴唇，這可能會影響他們牙齒或下巴的生長，早在 18 個月大時就會出現一些明顯的骨骼變化。
長期吸拇指或奶嘴導致的常見矯正問題包括：
1. 門牙突出（“暴牙”）。突出的門牙可能使嘴巴和嘴唇難以閉合，導致言語 障礙，並使它們更容易受到外傷。
2. 開咬：當上下門牙無法咬合時，會造成吞嚥或言語問題。
3. 反咬：下牙咬合在上牙外面。如果不矯正，下頜可能會向一側偏移，導致下頜生長不平衡。
如果發現孩子長時間吸吮拇指或使用安撫奶嘴，該怎麼辦?
請諮詢您的矯正醫生。他們將能夠識別由口腔習慣引起的任何矯正相關問題。他們可以提供早期治療方案，幫助您的孩子改掉習慣，並糾正可能發生的任何問題。矯正醫生接受過齒顎顏面整形方面的專門培訓。換句話說，它們可以幫助孩童的顎骨生長和發育得更好。
如何終止孩子的口腔習慣
兒童通常會在 2 至 4 歲之間停止使用奶嘴或吸吮拇指。但是，如果這種習慣持續存在，您可以使用多種方法來終止口腔習慣。
1. 專用液體指甲油：這種液體指甲油味道很苦，會阻止孩子將手指放入口中。
2. 繃帶或紗布纏繞：晚上用彈性繃帶或紗布鬆鬆地包住孩子的手指，以幫助他 們避免在睡覺時將手放入口中。
3. 剪斷奶嘴：如果您的孩子在3歲至4歲之間，仍在使用奶嘴，您可以用剪刀剪斷橡膠頭，以破壞吸力並消除吸奶嘴的舒緩感。
4. 請諮詢您的矯正醫師：如果其他方法無法矯正口腔習慣，請諮詢您鄰近的 矯正醫師。某些牙科裝置可能有助於防止您的孩子吸吮手指，並可以預防未來的顎骨發育問題。
在孩童年輕時帶去看矯正醫生，能夠幫助您的孩子：
1. 糾正有害的口腔習慣
2. 引導上下顎骨生長
3. 降低因前牙突出的外傷風險
4. 將恆牙引導到更好的萌發位置
諮詢矯正學會的矯正醫師
您可以諮詢中華民國齒顎矯正學會 (TAO) 的矯正醫師，讓您在任何年齡都能擁有健康、美麗的笑容。矯正專科醫生是矯正學和齒顎顏面矯治方面的專家（能精確調整牙齒排列和顎骨咬合位置），並且擁有讓您綻放最燦爛笑容的技能和經驗。您可以在TAO網站 https://www.tao.org.tw 找到鄰近您的齒列矯正醫生。
Could my child’s teeth be affected by pacifiers or thumb-sucking?
In short, yes. Although thumb sucking or pacifier use is a natural reflex for infants, prolonged sucking can exert pressure on their teeth and jaws. If your child regularly sucks on their thumb, finger, pacifier, or lips, it could potentially impact the growth of their teeth or jaw, with some bone changes noticeable as early as 18 months of age.
Common orthodontic problems caused by prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use can include:
A. Protruding front teeth: front teeth that stick out (“buck” teeth). Protrusive front teeth may make it hard to comfortably close the mouth and lips, cause speech problems, and make them more susceptible to trauma.
B. Open bite: when the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap, which can create swallowing or speech problems.
C. Crossbite: upper teeth that fit inside the lower teeth. If not corrected, the jaw can shift to one side causing lopsided jaw growth.
What to do if you notice prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use
Consult your orthodontist. They will be able to identify any orthodontic related issues caused by the oral habit. They can offer early treatment options to help your child break the habit and correct any problems that may have occurred. Orthodontists have been specifically trained in dentofacial orthopedics. In other words, they can help jaws grow and develop in better positions.
How to End Your Child’s Oral Fixation?
Children often stop using a pacifier or sucking their thumb between the ages of 2 and 4 years old. However, if the habit persists, there are several methods you can use to stop the oral fixation.
A. Specialized Liquid Nail Polish: This liquid nail polish tastes bitter and discourages children from putting their fingers in their mouths.
B. Bandages or Wraps: Loosely wrap your child’s finger(s) with an elastic bandage at night to help them avoid putting their hand in their mouth while sleeping.
C. Cut the Pacifier: If your child is between 3 and 4 years old and still using a pacifier, you can cut the rubber tip with scissors to break the suction seal and eliminate the soothing sensation.
D. Consult Your Orthodontist: If other methods fail to correct the oral fixation, consult your AAO orthodontist. Certain dental appliances may help keep your child from sucking on their fingers and can prevent future jaw problems.
Seeing an orthodontist at a young age will allow them to help your child:
A. Correct harmful oral habits
B. Guide jaw growth
C. Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
D. Guide permanent teeth into better positions
Trust a TAO orthodontist
You can work with an Orthodontist from Taiwan Association of Orthodontists (TAO) to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile at any age. Orthodontists are experts in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics – properly aligned teeth and jaws – and possess the skills and experience to give you your best smile. Find an orthodontist near you at https://www.tao.org.tw
[附註] 原文出自美國齒顎矯正學會 (AAO) 網站