Habit Counseling
In the New York Area
Habit Counseling
Self-soothing habits like thumb sucking and pacifier use are completely natural and incredibly common in infants and toddlers. However, when these behaviors persist past the age of three or four, they can begin to negatively impact the development of your child's jaws, teeth, and airway.
At LAVAAN Smiles, our pediatric team provides positive, compassionate, and highly effective Habit Counseling to help your child gently break these routines before they cause lasting dental issues.
Common Oral Habits We Address
Every child is unique, and habits form for a variety of reasons. Our team is experienced in addressing a wide range of prolonged oral behaviors, including:
Thumb and Finger Sucking: The most common childhood habit, which places constant outward pressure on the upper front teeth and the roof of the mouth.
Prolonged Pacifier Use: Similar to thumb sucking, relying on a pacifier well into the toddler years can alter the shape of the developing dental arch.
Tongue Thrusting: An abnormal swallowing pattern where the tongue pushes forward against the front teeth instead of resting against the roof of the mouth.
Lip Sucking or Biting: Continually drawing the lower lip in between the upper and lower front teeth.
Nail Biting (Onychophagia): A habit that can chip tooth enamel, introduce harmful bacteria into the mouth, and stress the jaw joints.
Why Early Intervention Matters
While it may seem harmless, constant pressure from a thumb, finger, or pacifier during a child's critical developmental years can actually reshape the soft, pliable bones of their growing jaw.
If left unaddressed, prolonged oral habits can lead to:
An Open Bite: A visible gap between the upper and lower front teeth even when the back teeth are closed tight, making biting into food difficult.
Crossbites and Overbites: Misalignments that require extensive, costly Phase 1 or Phase 2 orthodontic treatment to correct.
A Narrow Palate: A constricted upper jaw that can restrict the nasal airway and lead to mouth-breathing or sleep-disordered breathing.
Speech Impediments: Difficulty articulating certain sounds, such as "S" or "Th," due to altered tongue posture or tooth positioning.
Our Compassionate, Shame-Free Approach
We believe that the best way to help a child overcome a deeply ingrained habit is through positive reinforcement and encouragement—never shame or pressure.
When you visit LAVAAN Dental for habit counseling, we partner with you and your child to create a supportive plan for success:
Patient Education: We explain to your child why they need to stop the habit using fun, age-appropriate language they can easily understand and relate to.
Positive Reinforcement: We help you implement reward systems and progress charts at home to celebrate their daily victories.
Habit-Breaking Appliances: If your child truly wants to stop but is struggling with subconscious habits (like thumb-sucking in their sleep), we may recommend a small, comfortable custom appliance to gently deter the behavior and help them succeed.
Set Your Child Up for a Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
Breaking a comforting habit takes time, patience, and a supportive team. Schedule a consultation with our pediatric experts today to discuss your child's habits and explore our gentle counseling solutions.
Visit us at one of our 3 convenient New York locations:
West Village: 474 6th Ave., New York, NY 10011 | 212-837-1833
Upper East Side: 1196 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10028 | 212-879-1845
Midtown West: 311 West 43rd St, Suite 405, New York, NY 10036 | 212-581-5050
"My favorite dentist office I’ve ever been to. The front desk staff is nice and capable. I never have to wait and the hygienist and dentist are fabulous."
