Are you the parent of an adorable thumb-sucker? You are not alone. Many children learn this self-soothing technique even before they are born, so the practice is quite normal and natural. Even still, you might worry about the effects of thumb-sucking on your child's dental hygiene. 

It is important to consider all aspects of your child's health and well-being, including their dental care. So is thumb-sucking good or bad for your child? According to the pediatric dentists at Pediatric Dental Group in Honolulu, the answer is both.

For infants and very young children, thumb-sucking will not have a prolonged negative effect on your child's dental hygiene, so long as they naturally stop before the age of three, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).

If your child is still sucking her thumb after three years old, it is a good idea to begin discouraging the practice. The AAPD recommends starting with positive feedback by praising your child whenever he is not sucking his thumb. You can also limit thumb-sucking by location, for example, making a rule that she can only suck her thumb at home or in the bedroom. 

If you are a parent, you know that the job is filled with both joys and worries. While thumb-sucking has the potential to cause problems as children get older, it is not a cause for concern early on. Breaking the habit now will save your child from dealing with other dental issues, like bite issues and crooked teeth, later in life.

If you want more personal guidance on breaking your child's thumb-sucking habit, talk to the children's dentists at Pediatric Dental Group. Serving the Honolulu community for 50 years, this pediatric dentistry practice will answer all of your questions regarding your child's dental hygiene. Visit them online on their website, and on Facebook, and call (808) 593-8828 to schedule teeth cleaning for your child today.