Breastfeeding, nutrition, the use of feeding bottle, pacifiers, apparatus and oral care in cleft lip and cleft palate patients
Use of Nutrition Plate or Shaper Apparatus in Infants who have cleft lip and cleft palate
(from Ortodontic evaluation)
The feeding plate acts as an artificial palate in the baby with cleft palate, separating the oral cavity and nasal cavity, and is used for easier feeding of the baby. Thus, while the baby is feeding, it allows milk to flow from the throat to the esophagus whitout filling the nasal cavity.
It is not mandatory to make a feeding plate for every baby born with a cleft palate. If the cleft is small, the cleft is only on the soft palate or if the family can safely feed the baby without the appliance, the feeding plate may not be used.
It is decided to make a feeding plate in babies born with cleft palate according to the severity of the cleft. Mother can breastfeed with a feeding plate or can feed her baby with a feeding bottle produced for the cleft palate.
After feeding, the plate can be removed from the mouth and cleaned under warm running water. There is no need to use any cleaning agent, it is sufficient to remove milk/formula residues. There is no need to attach the appliance until the next feeding; however, when most babies get used to their artificial palate, they feel its deficiency and become restless. The plate can be kept in the mouth provided that it is clean, safe and under observation. Do not use the plate other than nutrition if you cannot provide the safety conditions.
In babies who have severe cleft palate and cleft lip at the same time, it may be necessary to use the apparatus that shapes the palate, lip and nose rather than the feeding plate. This appliance also acts as a feeding plate, it is also used for the purpose of treatment. It is difficult for the baby to suck his mother with a shaping appliance; but the mother, can feed the baby with a bottle produced for the cleft palate by milking her milk. This type of appliance must remain in the mouth continuously, they should only be removed after feeding, washed under running warm water and reassembled. While bathing, the appliance should be removed from the baby's mouth and should be reinstalled after the bath.
The use of appliance ends after lip surgery.
The first temporary teeth (as known milk teeth) in babies begin to appear when they are about 6 months old. This can sometimes be early (4th month), or late (age 1). Please don't worry.
The flow of saliva increases in teething baby, the baby begins to take his/her hand to his/her mouth.
During this period, you can rub the baby's gum with your clean finger. All temporary teeth are generally up to 3 years old. A total of 20 temporary teeth appear in the mouth (10 in the upper jaw, 10 in the lower jaw).
Children with cleft palate may have teeth missing in the upper jaw, cleft region. The tooth may have come out and lagged behind the palate or the tooth may be disfigured. Do not worry. These teeth do not need to be pulled unless they are shaken.
Oral care in babies/children who have cleft lip and cleft palate
You should brush your child's teeth with a finger toothbrush from infancy. Teeth can be easily brushed with these brushes, which are available on the market and attached to the parent's finger.
Do not use toothpaste. As your child grows (from the age of 2-3), you can give her/him the soft bristle toothbrush designed for children. Conscious brushing of teeth can not be expected from this age-old child, this is only a play. Be a role model, and brush your teeth with your child.
You should do this when your child's tooth brushing game is over; brush the inner, outer and chewing surfaces of your child's teeth well.
Do not use toothpaste, it may take 4-5 years for kids to spit on; brush the teeth without paste until your child is able to spit. Renew the toothbrush every 6 months. Have your child examined by pedodontics every year from the age of 3, and have dental protective procedures recommended by the physician.
Children with cleft lip/palate should have no dental caries; this condition is very important for the good healing of the surgical wound and will ensure that the jaw disorders that will arise in the future will be mild.
Your most important task is to give your child the habit of brushing teeth in this process and to keep them away from sugar, sweet food in nutrition.
