A kid-friendly dentist does more than clean teeth. Pediatric dentists also go over issues such as thumb-sucking, so parents understand the impact on the child’s oral health. Find out what a dentist has to say about thumb-sucking, so you will know if it is healthy or if your child should stop.
It is normal for infants to suck their thumbs. In fact, many babies started to suck their thumbs while still in the womb. Thumb-sucking at a young age actually has benefits.
Thumb-sucking soothes children, and it relieves anxiety. This behavior also makes it easier for children to fall asleep at night. Parents should let children suck their thumbs during this stage of life.
A kid-friendly dentist will recommend that children stop sucking their thumbs by the age of four. Failure to do so could cause serious damage when the permanent teeth come into the mouth.
As children age, thumb-sucking becomes more dangerous and can cause permanent changes to the mouth and teeth. Children who continue this habit might end up with bites that do not open, or top and bottom teeth that do not touch. The teeth also might jut out.
Prolonged thumb-sucking can also cause speech issues and make it difficult for the tongue to rest normally. The airway can even shrink if children suck their thumbs for too long.
The idea of getting a child to stop the behavior can be intimidating. It is a natural reflex, so many parents are afraid of the work that goes into stopping it. However, dentists have various recommendations for stopping this behavior that make it easier for parents and children.
Substitute with pacifiers
In the beginning, parents can replace the thumb with a pacifier. It is easier to take a pacifier away, so parents can control the behavior better with this technique. However, parents should not become overly reliant on pacifiers since they cause the same damage as thumbs.
Reward systems are helpful when stopping this behavior. Parents can create a chart and reward the child’s progress. Start with small goals and then expect the child to go longer and longer without engaging in the behavior.
Praise is also helpful when stopping the behavior. Praise the child every step of the way to encourage the new behavior. This will make it easier for the child to stop reaching for a thumb.
Proper oral health needs to start as soon as your child is born. That means you need to monitor thumb-sucking to ensure the behavior does not hurt your child’s teeth. While thumb-sucking is normal behavior for infants, a kid-friendly dentist should still examine the teeth to make sure that the behavior is not causing harm.
Request an appointment here: https://www.highlandsdentaldallas.com or call Highlands Family Dentistry at (214) 491-5362 for an appointment in our Dallas office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Gum disease treatment is an important part of comprehensive oral healthcare. A family dentist can address gum issues when they first appear, which can preserve your smile and improve your overall oral health. These dental professionals offer a variety of gum disease treatment options based on the stage and severity of the condition.Gum disease, medically…
The time and effort that go into fitting a dental crown suggest a permanent restoration. Maybe it is the fact that installing a dental crown often requires multiple dentist visits. It could be the permanence that comes with the removal of enamel before the placement of a crown. Dental crowns that sit on dental implants…
When someone has had a root canal, people usually think of a dental crown as the next procedure. During a root canal, the dentist first drills a tiny hole in the tooth's surface. The infected pulp is then removed, and the inner layer of the tooth is cleaned to remove any residue. Finally, the dentist…
A healthy smile depends on more than daily brushing and flossing. If you are experiencing gum disease or severe plaque buildup, a deep teeth cleaning can restore your oral health. Unlike a standard dental cleaning, this treatment targets bacteria below the gumline and reduces the risk of serious oral health issues.Deep teeth cleaning, also known…