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    • General Dentistry
      • Gum Disease
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Fillings
      • Root Canals
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      • Two-Phase Treatment
      • Early Orthodontic Treatment with Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Adult Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Orthodontics for Teens
      • Retainer Instructions
      • Emergency Care
      • Life with Braces
        • Types of Braces
        • Traditional Braces
        • Clear Aligners
        • Clear Ceramic Braces
    • Dental Implants
      • Implant-Supported Dentures
      • X-Guide Imaging Machine for Dental Implants
    • Pediatric Dentistry
      • Dental Care for Your Baby
      • Thumb Sucking
      • Tooth Decay
      • Cavities
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dental FAQs
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
      • ICON White Spot Treatment
      • Botox
      • Teeth Whitening
      • Invisalign
        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
        • Teen Invisalign
      • Bridges
      • Crowns
      • Veneers
      • Dentures
      • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • New Patients
    • Tour Our Office
    • Financial Information
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Preventive Care
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing & Flossing Tips
    • Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing & Flossing with Braces
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Radiology
    • General Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening
    • Sealants at the Parkcrest Dental Group
    • General Dentistry & Fluoride
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Dr. Scott
    • Meet Dr. Ropka
    • Meet Dr. Harrison
    • Meet Dr. Hall
    • Meet Dr. Fannin
    • Meet Dr. Dills
    • Meet Dr. Sponenberg
    • Meet Dr. Snider
    • Meet Dr. Allie
    • Community Involvement
    • What Sets Us Apart
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Contact Us
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Pediatric Dentistry: How to Prevent Thumb Sucking

  • May 27, 2018
  • 8:16 pm
  • Dental Education, Pediatric
  • Children, Dental Care, Pediatric Dental Care, Thumb Sucking
  • Parkcrest Dental Group

Children begin sucking their thumbs for many reasons. Most infants begin thumb sucking in the womb. As they grow up, children begin putting objects in their mouth to help them learn about the world around them. In addition, they use thumb sucking as a means of comfort. Many parents will notice their children sucking their thumbs predominantly when they are tired or anxious.

However, thumb sucking does have its drawbacks. Depending on the intensity of a child’s thumb sucking, they may develop dental issues. Some of the dental issues that can occur because of this habit include interference with proper mouth growth and teeth alignment and changes to the roof of your child’s mouth. As a result, pediatric dentists recommend helping your child kick the habit once their permanent teeth begin to come in around the age of 4. Most children will quit on their own, but if your child still uses thumb sucking as a means of comfort, follow these tips to help them break the habit.

Use Distraction

When you notice that your child engages in thumb sucking, try to distract them. Get your child to do something that requires both of their hands. This will be something you need to watch closely before nap or bedtime. You can give them a stuffed animal to hold or have them hold a book as you read it to them.

Be Supportive

Instead of shaming your child when they suck their thumb, offer them praise when they do not. Punishing your child for their bad habit only causes them more anxiety, leading to a subconscious desire to suck their thumb for comfort.

Consult Your Pediatric Dentistry Office

A pediatric dentistry office is filled with experts who work with children every day to help change bad habits and develop positive ones. The pediatric dentistry team at Parkcrest Dental Group has years of experience assisting parents who are trying to convince their children to give up thumb sucking. Oftentimes, hearing from a pediatric dentist that they should quit their bad habit will appeal to their sense of growing up. Information from an authority figure, especially someone who is an expert in pediatric dentistry, can have a major impact on your child.

Use Peer Pressure

At the age that your child should quit sucking their thumb will be around the time they begin to be much more social. Making friends at preschool or child care will introduce them to their peers. Inviting your child’s friends who do not suck their thumb for a sleepover can have a major impact on your child’s thumb sucking behavior.

Contact Dr. Scott at Parkcrest Dental Group

If you need assistance to help your child develop healthy dental habits, Dr. Stuart Scott at Parkcrest Dental is happy to help. Our pediatric dentistry team is dedicated to helping your children develop healthy smiles. You should schedule your child’s first pediatric dentistry visit around the time their first teeth begin to come in. If you are interested in learning how Dr. Scott and his team can help, call us today at 417-262-5515.

Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top right) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (center left) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (center right) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom left) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

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