Thumb-sucking is a natural habit in children. It is an act that soothes them and causes them to feel more secure, and it might even help them sleep. That being said, if it continues for too long, thumb-sucking can cause various dental problems.
As permanent teeth are taking the place of the deciduous teeth (baby teeth), thumb-sucking can hinder the overall growth of the mouth, including teeth-alignment. It could also cause abnormal changes to the roof of the mouth.
For the most part, children stop sucking their thumbs around the point their adult teeth are ready to come in—somewhere between two and four years of age. Those who continue to suck their thumbs past this age are at a higher risk for damage.
Another factor that determines whether damage will occur or not is the magnitude of the child's sucking. Children who suck their thumbs with vigor will have more dental problems than children who only stick their thumb in their mouth. In fact, children who suck their thumbs intensely have been known to develop issues before the emergence of their permanent teeth.
Here are a couple of ways to get your children to stop sucking their thumbs:
• Find and remove the cause of any anxiety which may be provoking them to suck their thumb in the first place.
• Give your child praise when they don't suck their thumb.
• Ask Dr. Sachs to offer advice and to explain the risks.
If you see that your child is still sucking his or her thumb beyond the arrival of their permanent teeth, and you are unable to rectify the issue yourself, it's a wise idea to
schedule an appointment with Dr. Sachs—before problems arise.