All of the staff have been extremely incredible. Dr. Thoms was amazing & really helped calm me before my procedure. Dr. Thoms answered any & all questions I have had & was extremely understanding when it comes to having dental anxiety. Robyn was the best X-ray technician I have ever had. She felt personable but still extremely professional. Throughout my life I have been to numerous dentists in hopes of finding one that will take my extreme dental anxiety seriously & not make me feel bad for it. I have finally found my favorite dentist. The Dental Anesthesia Center is my #1 pick if I had to chose any dentist.
Response from the owner:Thanks for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re grateful for your trust in our team and are pleased to hear you felt supported and comfortable throughout your visit. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to continuing to provide compassionate, patient-centered care.
Hands down the best dental office in the area! They have always taken care of me and been very accommodating. The Doctors are the BEST!!! I would HIGHLY recommend this office if you are looking for a dentist! 5+ stars all around.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review and recommendation! We’re grateful for your kind words and are thrilled to hear that our team has provided a positive experience. We appreciate your support and look forward to serving our community with exceptional care.
I started seeing this practice as a scared middle age woman that thought she was quickly on the way to being toothless. Years later now, still working with the amazing Dr Behl and her amazing staff, I have been able to continue with my present teeth. Alway kind, full of grace, mercy and humor!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review. We’re honored to be part of your dental journey and appreciate your kind words about Dr. Behl and our team.
We have been taking our son to Dental Anesthesia since 2019. He gets his dental treatment and blood work done at the same time. We find the staff and Dr. Thoms highly professional. They communicate well and provide excellent treatment/services. Getting blood work done during sedation helps us a lot.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re honored to be part of your family’s care. We appreciate your trust in us.
This was my first time coming to the Dental Anesthesia Center, recommended by my sister whose special needs son has seen Dr. Hoffmann for years. I have a very difficult jaw condition resulting from a car accident and Dr. Hoffmann made me feel so immediately at ease that I’ve scheduled some extensive dental work to be done later this summer. I also loved my nurse, Ashley, who was so attentive, sweet and knowledgeable. She made me feel not as an anomaly, but valued and validated, and I hope she will be with me during my upcoming surgery. Thank you, Dr. Hoffmann and Ashley, for welcoming me to your practice!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for trusting our team. We’re honored to provide a welcoming, compassionate experience and will be sure to share your compliments with Dr. Hoffmann, Ashley, and the rest of our staff. We appreciate your support!
Thumb-sucking seems like a harmless habit common in most children, especially below the age of 7. Between 75% to 95% of all infants suck their thumb, but sometimes the habit may spill into adulthood. In case you didn’t know, thumb-sucking is an instinctive habit that comes naturally to toddlers in times of distress. Sucking their thumbs soothes them and gives them a sense of security.
Unfortunately, thumb-sucking may develop into a habit that does more harm than good. That’s because thumb-sucking can have negative effects on your child’s oral health, particularly teeth development. Below, we’ll look at the dangers of prolonged thumb-sucking.
May Lead to Protruding Front Teeth
The most common side effect of persistent thumb-sucking is protruding front teeth or overbite. When sucking their thumb, children often press their thumb against the part of the gum where their incisors emerge. Over time, this continuous pressure pushes the front teeth forward when they grow, leading to a condition known as an overbite.
Protruding front teeth are aesthetically unappealing and may make your child feel insecure about their appearance. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can help correct overbite. The earlier it’s corrected, the better it is for your child.
Open Bite
Open-bite is when both the front and bottom teeth become directed outwards. This means the two sets of teeth don’t touch even when your child shuts their mouth. Open bite leads to teeth misalignment and irregular chewing patterns that sometimes lead to discomfort.
Increases Vulnerability to Mouth Ulcers
Children that suck their thumbs are more likely to develop mouth ulcers. This is because when they suck their thumb, it’s likely to scratch their mouth palette, which is still quite soft. Mouth ulcers, in itself, aren’t such a major cause for concern. However, they can make a child avoid tooth brushing because it’s painful. With time, this can develop into a full-blown habit that could lead to various oral health problems in the future.
Promotes Mouth Breathing
When children suck their thumb during bedtime, then drift into sleep, they’ll likely sleep with their mouths open. That’s because they’ll still have their thumb in their mouth. This makes them breathe through their mouths instead of their noses. But what’s the problem with breathing through the mouth?
Mouth breathing can be dangerous because it introduces harmful pathogens that can harm the teeth and gums. Remember, the nose has hairs and mucus to take care of these harmful bacteria; your teeth don’t. As a result, these bacteria might enter a cavity or hole in their teeth and cause intense pain.
How Can You Stop Your Child From Thumb-Sucking?
Verbally telling your child to stop sucking their thumb rarely works. Instead, what you need to do is show them that it’s not okay to suck their thumb. You can do this by simply removing their hand from the mouth whenever they start thumb-sucking. Over time, your child will know that sucking their thumb is a definite no-no.
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The first two board-certified Dentist Anesthesiologists in the state of Missouri.
