Tongue thrust can cause open bite - Dr. Michael Dagostino, DDS
Tongue thrust can cause open bite
Newsletter for December 2009
Dear Patients,
The snow is flying and the temperature is dropping, another blustery December in Cleveland. My staff and I would like to extend our holiday wishes to you and yours! We hope you enjoy this holiday season and cherish the memories of your family and loved ones!
A tongue thrust or infantile swallowing pattern, can often result in the front teeth not touching, this is commonly known as an open bite. Because we swallow between 1,200 and 2,000 times a day the forces of the tongue against the front teeth will push the teeth out of their normal alignment within the arch, resulting in the open bite. This is a difficult habit to break in the mature patient and causes multiple orthodontic consequences.
There are many causes of the retained infantile swallowing pattern. However, in the U.S. the most widely accepted etiology is bottle feeding or improper breast feeding. However, we do caution nursing mothers to take an educational class to ensure they are properly nursing their child. One of the most common mistakes nursing mothers make is to nurse their child in a horizontal position verses the correct vertical position of the child.
Should you or someone you love have a tongue thrust or open bite please contact our office for a complimentary evaluation. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Michael W. Dagostino, DDS
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