AboutDr. Randolph Myerson Expertise Please limit your inquiry to questions about orthodontics (braces) and children's dentistry. I am both an Orthodontist and a Pediatric Dentist, having been trained in both of these dental specialty fields. Orthodontics is the dental specialty that treats problems of tooth, bite and jaw alignment using braces and removable appliances. Pediatric Dentistry is the dental specialty also known as dentistry for children, which deals specifically with the dental problems of this special age group from infants to adolescents. I am also experienced in Forensic Dentistry, the application of dentistry to law enforcement and identification using dental records.
Experience I have been in the private practice of orthodontics and pediatric dentistry for over 20 years. Prior to that I served for three years on the Cleft Palate and Cranio-facial Reconstruction team at Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia and was an Assistant Professor of Dentistry at University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. I also served as a dentist in the U.S.Air Force, stationed at Andrews AFB in Washington, DC.
Organizations I am a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, as well as a member of the American Dental Association and the Dental Society of the State of New York.
Education/Credentials I received my BA in Biology from Frankin & Marshall College in 1969, and my dental degree from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1973. In 1978 I received both my Certificate in Orthodontics from University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and my Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Children''s Hospital of Philadelphia after completing a three year Teaching Fellowship in Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in 1978.
Question First off, thanks for your time and advice.
Our 2.5 son started sucking on a blanket when he was about 10 months old. We asked our pediatrician whether this was a bad trait at the time and they said it was actually better than using a pacifier since it was not as hard an item and would be less likely to have a long-term affect on his bite.
We recently noticed that he has a bit of an overbite and wondering whether the continual use of the blanket is a contributing factor. Should we stop him from sucking on the blanket (can it affect the bite?) or just let it go (assuming he will sometime grow out of it)?
Thanks,
Douglas
Answer I must disagree with your pediatrician about the blanket being better than a pacifier. The Nuk pacifier is shaped in such a way as to allow an infant (10 month old) to satisfy his sucking impulse without distorting his bite. The blanket can make no such claim and can definitely be a contributing factor in producing a bite problem, especially in a toddler of 2 1/2 years of age. This would be a good age to have him stop sucking on the blanket (or a pacifier for that matter). If he does so then there's some chance that the overbite may improve. There is also some chance that the overbite would have been there even without the blanket sucking so I wouldn't recommend that you beat yourself up over the blanket issue.
For the future, when shopping for a pacifier, look for the Nuk design. It's commonly available in pacifiers and bottle nipples and it definitely helps the infant develop proper oral musculature and swallowing pattern when compared to typical pacifier and nipple designs.
