{"id":1776,"date":"2022-09-01T02:14:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-01T02:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/woodbridgedentalcare.com\/?p=1776"},"modified":"2022-09-20T14:17:53","modified_gmt":"2022-09-20T14:17:53","slug":"should-i-be-concerned-about-a-thumb-sucking-habit-family-dentist-woodbridge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/woodbridgedentalcare.com\/Dentist-Lake-Ridge\/should-i-be-concerned-about-a-thumb-sucking-habit-family-dentist-woodbridge\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I Be Concerned About A Thumb Sucking Habit? | Family Dentist Woodbridge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Thumb sucking is one of the most recognizable behaviors found in children. Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy, or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may even encourage sleep. Studies found by our Woodbridge dentist<\/a> have proposed that as many as 90% of children have engaged in this type of activity in their lives. We have even seen that thumb sucking can begin in the mother\u2019s womb during pregnancy. It\u2019s natural, safe, and can be quite helpful to parents, as their baby learns to soothe themselves from time to time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether this oral fixation is satisfied with a thumb or the commonly used pacifier, most children discontinue this practice before long. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that most children stop thumb sucking on their own between the ages of 2 and 4.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once your baby\u2019s first set of teeth are in and thumb sucking persists, there is a chance that this habit could push the teeth slightly forward. Fortunately, this will in no way affect the placement of the adult teeth or add to the cost of your child\u2019s future dental bills. Thumb sucking, even in toddlers, is considered normal. It does not mean there is anything wrong with your child and that they should feel embarrassed or ashamed. Even the most persistent thumb sucker ordinarily stops on their own by the time toddlerhood has ended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thumb sucking infrequently continues past the age of four. This is usually found to be the result of too much attention or negative reinforcement given to the habit in previous years. Beyond this age, thumb sucking can begin to impact the alignment of the adult teeth, so it is best your child shed the habit sooner rather than later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you help them with this? Don\u2019t reprimand them because of it, don\u2019t remove the thumb from their mouth and don\u2019t mention it. This is where their growing awareness and social cues come in handy. As your child begins to notice that the kids around them aren\u2019t sucking their thumbs anymore, they won\u2019t want to either. They will also start to discover other skills or items to give them comfort and security. Peer pressure becomes a much greater deterrent than a parent\u2019s disapproval.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can I Do to Support my Child Through Thumb Sucking?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n