Sucking your thumb as a child is a naturally developed habit. As children age, they may begin to grow out of it, but some children don’t. While seemingly harmless, thumb sucking can cause dental problems. Parkcrest Dental explains the dangers of thumb sucking and when your child should quit their habit.
Why Do Children Suck Their Thumbs?
Young children have natural sucking reflexes that may tempt them to put their fingers or thumbs in their mouths. Typically this is done as a comforting mechanism for when they go to sleep or are in an uncomfortable or new situation.
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When Should They Quit?
Thumb sucking isn’t initially harmful, but it can become a problem in later years. Thumb sucking may start to affect the roof of the mouth and how children’s teeth may line up. The risk of dental problems goes up depending on how often your child sucks their thumb and how long they’ve been doing it.
While it’s normal for a child to start sucking their thumb at a young age, a child should typically get rid of this habit around the ages of 2-4 to prevent any long-term damage to their teeth.
Tips For Stopping
Bad habits can take a toll on a child’s teeth. If you have trouble getting your child to stop sucking their thumb, there are a few tips and tricks to encourage them to quit.
Reminders: In order to kick a bad habit, you need to positively remind your child to stop when you see them sucking their thumb. Most likely, they participate in the habit without realizing it.
Positive Reinforcement: If you notice your child hasn’t been sucking their thumb as often as before, let them know that you’ve seen their change in behavior. Praising your child for their new behavior can do wonders for their self-esteem and encourage them to stop thumb sucking.
Noticing Triggers: As a parent, keep an eye out for things that may cause your child to suck their thumb for comfort.
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Beat Your Child’s Bad Habit At Parkcrest Dental
If your child is battling their thumb sucking urges or you’re worried about the state of their developing teeth, pediatric dentist, Dr. Scott, and his team at Parkcrest Dental can help monitor the problems. To make your first appointment, call today at 417-887-0357.
