Pacifiers and children's teeth

Watch Video: Pacifiers and children's teeth by Gina Gonzalez, DDS, ...
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Pacifiers and children's teeth

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A pacifier does affect the child's teeth and it is utilized early in development, and should be thought about removing the use of the pacifier around age three or four, as their development gets older. Children have developed a need for the pacifier because suckling is a natural instinct of a child. It soothes them. They use the pacifier to make themselves calm. It has a purpose. As the child gets older and more secure, the need for the pacifier goes down. It can create some detrimental effects on the palate. It can flare out the front teeth. It can create what's called an anterior open bite, where the child cannot cut their food in the front. It can be a little bit of a serious problem. We recommend that after age of about three or four, you start talking about transitioning away from the pacifier. Children do like nursing, and they do suck their thumbs in utero. They do things to calm themselves. As they get more secure in the world, they are actually able to let it go. Some children need more help, and we have the tools to help a child let go of their pacifier.

Watch Video: Pacifiers and children's teeth by Gina Gonzalez, DDS, ...

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Gina Gonzalez, DDS

Dentist

Dr. Gina Gonzalez, DDS has been interested in dental care most of her life. She started working as a dental assistant in high school.  After graduating, she pursued her career by attending the University of Southern California from which she earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 1982.  She was involved in creating new standards for dental hygiene in Spain where she also developed a dental hygiene school.

Dr. Gina Gonzalez earned her doctorate of dental surgery from the USC School of Dentistry in 1991.  As a lifelong learner, Dr. Gonzalez continues to study preventive and esthetic dentistry at renowned educational institutions all over the United States.  Her certifications include CEREC technology and Invisalign.  In addition to providing superb dental services to patients in her office, she dedicates her knowledge and skill to many philanthropic projects in the community and worldwide.  Annually, she is involved in a dental mission to Guatemala in which she provides dental care to people who would go without it otherwise.  She also regularly serves the elderly in Southern California through the Oral Eldercare Program. Dr. Gina Gonzalez is part of the USC School of Dentistry Board of Directors and is a member of the American Dental Association and the California Dental Association.   

In her leisure time, she enjoys Salsa dancing, participating in the art of Krav Maga and entertaining her two wonderful daughters.

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