For a great number of children, thumb sucking or finger sucking are general habits at a young age. Nearly a third of all children will suck on their thumbs or fingers within the first year of their life, and while this may seem harmless, it’s actually not.
At Southridge Pediatric Dentistry, we’re here to help. Our pediatric dental services include identifying the triggers of thumb sucking and working with parents to help rid children of this practice. Why is thumb sucking such a big deal, and how can you stop it? Here are some tips.
Thumb sucking has the potential to cause several developmental issues within a child’s mouth. It may lead to an open bite, a condition where the top and bottom teeth don’t touch while biting or chewing. Thumb sucking may also lead to narrowing or distortion of the mouth palate, leading to speech issues and negative bite patterns if not addressed early enough.
There are several possible causes of thumb sucking in children. Kids mostly do it as an unconscious comfort method when they’re uncomfortable or stressed, meaning you may see it when they’re hungry, tired or sad. They may also do so when they’re bored or anxious.
If your child is still sucking his or her thumb by age four, you need to take steps to wean them out of this to ensure their mouth development isn’t stunted. Here are some basic tips:
For more on preventing thumb sucking, or to learn about any of our other pediatric dental services, speak to the staff at Southridge Pediatric Dentistry today.
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