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The foundation of a healthy smile starts with good oral habits. We’re here to provide guidance and expertise when it comes to your child’s oral health. From hygiene to preventive care, we’ve got you covered.
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Now Serving Nashville
Our Second Location
Tongue Tie Treatment at Tiny Ties
For the convenience of Nashville families, we've opened a second dedicated location under the name Tiny Ties. While our main dental practice continues to serve patients in Fairview, this specialized facility focuses exclusively on tongue tie procedures for children in the Nashville area. By establishing this separate center, we're bringing our expert care closer to you, eliminating long drives and making treatment more accessible for parents throughout Nashville and surrounding communities.
What Are Oral Habits and Why Are They Important for Your Kid?
Oral habits are the daily actions children do with their mouth, teeth, tongue, lips, and jaws. Healthy habits include brushing, flossing, drinking water, and eating tooth-friendly foods. Some habits, like thumb sucking, pacifier use, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, teeth grinding, or chewing on objects, may need attention if they continue for too long.
These habits are important because they can affect your child’s teeth, bite, jaw growth, speech, and overall oral health. With early preventive dental care for children, parents can get guidance before small habits start causing bigger smile concerns. Good oral habits help prevent cavities, protect gums, support proper chewing, and build a strong foundation for a healthy smile as your child grows.
Did you know…
Kids can usually start brushing their teeth on their own around the age of 5-6, or whenever they can tie their shoes on their own.
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Why Choose Us?
At Songbird Pediatric Dentistry, we help parents understand which oral habits are normal and which ones may affect their child’s teeth, bite, jaw growth, or speech. Our team takes a gentle, child-friendly approach to habits like thumb sucking, pacifier use, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, and teeth grinding.
We focus on early guidance, simple parent education, and personalized care plans that support your child’s healthy smile development without pressure or fear. You can also meet our pediatric dentist to learn how we help correct harmful habits early and support better oral health habits for life.
Your Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
Meet Dr. Breanna Barnes
Pediatric Dentist in Fairview, TN
Dr. Breanna Barnes is a board-certified pediatric dentist in Fairview, TN, and the founder of Songbird Pediatric Dentistry. With advanced training in children’s dental care, infant frenectomies, laser dentistry, lip-tie and tongue-tie treatment, and esthetic restorations like zirconia crowns, she provides gentle, personalized care for every child.
As a mother and pediatric dental specialist, Dr. Barnes understands how important comfort, trust, and prevention are from the very first visit. She is passionate about helping infants, toddlers, children, teens, and children with special needs feel safe and supported during dental treatment. Her goal is to create a positive dental home where families receive honest guidance, quality care, and a calm experience at every visit.
Gentle Habit Guidance
We help children with oral habits like thumb sucking, pacifier use, nail biting, or mouth breathing in a calm and supportive way. Our goal is to guide, not scare, so kids feel comfortable while parents get clear answers.
Early Smile Growth Support
Oral habits can affect tooth position, jaw growth, and bite development if they continue for too long. Early guidance helps protect your child’s growing smile and may reduce the need for bigger treatment later.
Parent-Friendly Home Tips
We give parents simple steps to manage oral habits at home. From positive reminders to healthy routine changes, our team helps families create a plan that feels realistic and easy to follow.
The Benefits of Good Oral Habits
Supports Healthy Jaw Growth
Early guidance for oral habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or pacifier use can help protect your child’s jaw, bite, and facial development as they grow.
Helps Prevent Bite Problems
Managing oral habits at the right time may lower the risk of open bites, overbites, crowded teeth, or other orthodontic concerns that can affect your child’s smile.
Improves Long-Term Oral Health
Healthy oral habits support better breathing, chewing, speaking, and tooth alignment, helping your child build a stronger foundation for lifelong dental health.
3 Steps Toward Better Oral Habits
Habit Evaluation
Our team first checks your child’s teeth, bite, jaw growth, and oral habit pattern. We discuss habits like thumb sucking, pacifier use, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, or nail biting to understand how they may be affecting your child’s smile.
Parent & Child Guidance
We explain the habit in simple, child-friendly words and guide parents on how to support improvement at home. This may include positive reinforcement, reminders, routine changes, and gentle strategies to help your child slowly break the habit.
Custom Treatment If Needed
If the habit continues or starts affecting your child’s oral development, we may recommend a custom appliance or additional treatment support. The goal is to protect healthy growth while keeping your child comfortable and confident.
Before & Afters
A smile is worth 1,000 words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common oral habits in children?
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Common oral habits include thumb sucking, pacifier use, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, nail biting, lip biting, and teeth grinding. Some habits are normal at a young age, but they may need attention if they continue too long.
When should parents worry about thumb sucking or pacifier use?
Parents should ask a pediatric dentist if thumb sucking or pacifier use continues after age 3–4, or if it starts affecting the child’s teeth, bite, jaw growth, or speech development.
Can oral habits cause crooked teeth?
Yes, long-term habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or mouth breathing can place pressure on the teeth and jaw. Over time, this may lead to open bites, overbites, spacing, or tooth alignment problems.
How can a pediatric dentist help with oral habits?
A pediatric dentist can evaluate the habit, check your child’s bite and jaw growth, guide parents with at-home strategies, and recommend treatment if the habit is affecting dental development.
Will my child need an appliance to stop the habit?
Not always. Many children improve with positive guidance and parent support. If the habit continues or begins changing the bite, a custom habit appliance may be recommended to protect your child’s smile.
In the Community
Conveniently Located for Families Near Fairview
Located in Fairview, TN, Songbird Pediatric Dentistry makes it easy for families to access trusted, child-focused dental care close to home. As Fairview’s One of first pediatric dentistry practice, we are proud to support local children with gentle visits, helpful education, and personalized care in a warm, family-friendly setting.
At Songbird Pediatric Dentistry, we believe prevention should feel simple, gentle, and encouraging for every child. From cleanings and exams to fluoride, sealants, and home care guidance, our goal is to help families protect healthy smiles before problems become bigger.
