5641 Poplar Tent Road, Suite 201, Concord, NC 28027

2 Negative Side Effects of Thumb Sucking Outlining By Our Concord Pediatric Dentist

Thumb sucking is natural. It makes children feel secure. Young children may also use it to soothe themselves.

How Can Thumb Sucking Affect Your Child’s Teeth?

Thumb sucking can create problems when the permanent teeth grow in. It can cause them to get misaligned. It can also cause the roof of the mouth to change. Additionally, children who use pacifiers can also have these same problems. That is why a Concord dentist for kids will likely ask if your child uses pacifiers or sucks their thumbs.

The intensity is another factor that will determine whether your child will have a problem. Aggressive thumb suckers are more likely to have problems.

When Does Thumb Sucking Typically Stop?

Most children will stop sucking their thumbs before the age of four. Because most children stop sucking their thumbs before the permanent teeth come in, it is usually not a cause for concern. You should talk to one of the Concord pediatric dentists if you are concerned about your child’s thumb sucking.

What Can You Do If Your Child Sucks Their Thumb?

A Concord dentist for kids will recommend that you do the following if your child sucks their thumb.

  • Praise your child when they do not suck their thumbs.
  • Because thumb sucking is often caused by anxiety, it is important to comfort your child.
  • If you have an older child, then you should ask them to help you help the younger child stop sucking their thumbs.
  • Concord pediatric dentists can comfort your child and help them stop sucking their thumb.

If the following tips do not work, then you can put a sock or a bandage on their thumbs at night. A dentist or doctor can also put a bitter medication at the end of the thumb in order to prevent your child from sucking their thumb.

If you are looking for a local pediatric dental office for your children in Concord then contact us today!

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