Does Thumb Sucking Lead to Issues for a Child’s Dental Health?
Thumb sucking comes naturally to infants as a way to soothe themselves and accept nourishment. When your babies are younger, this habit can seem adorable, but once they grow older, thumb sucking can become a problem for them.
That’s because continuous, vigorous thumb-sucking can affect a child's dental health.
In this blog, our dentists in Frisco, Tx, have discussed how thumb-sucking can impact your child's dental health.
Effects of Thumb Sucking
If your little one occasionally sucks their thumb, there’s nothing to worry about. However, if they vigorously do it, it can affect their mouth and teeth. This is because of the continuous pressure the thumb and sucking can put on the teeth, mouth, and jawbone.
As a result, long-term thumb-sucking can often cause:
A change in the shape of the jaw affects the teeth' alignment and speech pattern.
Sensitivity in the mouth’s roof
Additional bite issues
How to Help Your Child Stop Thumb Sucking?
If your child is a bit older, you might be able to help them break this habit. However, if they’re young, doing so can be tough. However, here’s what you can do:
Use Positive Support
You can’t force or be harsh with your children to help them stop thumb-sucking; you’ll need to shift to a positive attitude. When your child stops thumb-sucking, praise them and let them know they’re doing a good job.
You can also make this process fun by healthily rewarding them.
Try Thumb Shields
There are various thumb guards available that can help your child stop thumb-sucking. Make sure they wear these during the time they’re likely to suck their thumb. You can also just cover your child’s thumbs with a sock or glove while they’re sleeping.
Visit a Dentist for Kids
If your child has been thumb-sucking for a while, there's a chance their oral and dental health has been compromised. So, it’s best not to compromise anymore and find good pediatric dentistry for regular dental checkups.
Are you looking for a reliable dentist for kids in Frisco? We can help you.
At Waterfront Family Dentistry, we’re the leading pediatric dentist offering expert dental services in Frisco. Our team is skilled and experienced in providing dental services for children with utmost care.
Schedule an appointment with us.
