Ask a Pediatric Dentist: Is Thumb-Sucking Bad for Kids’ Teeth?

It is a good idea to consult with a pediatric dentist about your child’s oral care, as they are specialists when it comes to kids and their oral health. They can provide answers to common questions, such as whether or not thumb-sucking is bad for kids’ teeth. By understanding useful pieces of information about your child’s oral care, you can ensure their teeth are properly protected.

Insights from a pediatric dentist

One of the main goals of a pediatric dentist is to keep baby teeth as healthy as possible. As well as to ensure their permanent teeth have a better chance to grow properly and be healthy.

The following are some important things to know about the view of a pediatric dentist as it pertains to thumb-sucking.

The effects of thumb-sucking

Thumb-sucking is quite normal for babies and toddlers, and it helps them to cope with stressful situations. Thumb-sucking before the age of four should not be discouraged in most instances, as it likely does not pose a threat to a child’s oral health.

However, thumb-sucking that continues as the child grows older can be concerning, especially if their permanent teeth have already come through. Thumb-sucking at a later age can cause a misalignment of permanent teeth and lead to a malocclusion.

When to stop thumb-sucking

The typical age children stop sucking their thumb is around four years old. However, each child is different and some may stop earlier while others may have an urge to suck their thumb until they are much older.

The common opinion of pediatric dentists is that children should be encouraged by their caretaker to stop sucking their thumbs after the age of four, because it can lead to oral health concerns if it continues as their baby teeth begin to come through.

How to stop thumb-sucking

It is not always easy to teach a child not to suck their thumb, usually because it is a natural reaction for many children. There are, however, things that can be done to reduce to help children quit the habit, such as:

• Encouraging them to stop
• Rewarding them for attempting to stop
• Finding a method they prefer
• Keeping them calm and relaxed
• Visiting a pediatric dentist

For many children, thumb-sucking is simply a reaction rather than a conscious decision. So the more aware the child becomes of the behavior the better and more control they have over it. Be sure to be positive and encouraging and work with them to find the best way to motivate them to stop.

Additional tips from a pediatric dentist

The following are useful tips from a pediatric dentist on how to help your child protect their oral health overall as well as control thumb-sucking.

Bring your child to the pediatric dentist at an early age

It is recommended to have your child visit the pediatric dentist within six months after their first baby tooth emerges. You should also consider a pediatric dentistry visit if your child is thumb-sucking. An early visit can help prevent oral health concerns from ever developing and detect potential concerns (such as thumb-sucking) before they cause any issues.

Educate your child while helping them brush their teeth

Children are usually not able to optimally brush their teeth on their own until they are around six years old. Until then, it is encouraged to help them and even brush their teeth for them. While brushing, you can teach them the proper way to brush. This should include brushing in small circles over all of the tooth surfaces for two minutes.

Limit the consumption of sugar to help prevent cavities

Sugar can combine with bacteria inside the mouth and cause acidic attacks, which subsequently can lead to cavities. While some sugar consumption is normal for children who naturally have a sweet tooth, it can help to limit the consumption of sugar (as well as other carbohydrates) in order to protect their oral health. Be sure to also check for signs of cavities and other oral health concerns regularly as well.

The bottom line

If you are concerned that your child’s thumb-sucking may affect the development of their permanent teeth or are concerned about their oral health for any reason, then talk to a pediatric dentist today. A pediatric dentist can help determine the health of your child’s mouth. They can tell you if thumb-sucking can cause any issues with the development or overall health of their permanent teeth.

Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.

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