Do thumb-sucking and pacifiers have a negative impact on your child’s teeth? Pediatric Dental Group in Honolulu, HI, provides you with more information about how these early habits of your kids may affect their oral health. Serving clients in Honolulu for over 50 years, this team of dental care professionals is committed to helping your children develop healthy teeth, mouth, and gums; if you want your kids to have bright and beautiful smiles as they grow up, rely on this compassionate and experienced team to help your child stop these potential oral health issues.

Believe it or not, thumb-sucking and pacifier use may sometimes be harmless—it all depends on how often your children engage in the habit and to what extent they do so. More often than not, kids will naturally outgrow thumb-sucking and pacifiers between the ages of 2 and 4, and their teeth will probably not show any signs of damage after that. However, the longer it takes your kids to wean off of thumb-sucking or pacifier use, the more likely it is that they may experience changes in their palates and shifting teeth.

The best thing to do, if your child persists with either of these habits, is to offer positive reinforcement whenever you notice your child not engaging in the behavior. Give effusive praise anytime you notice that they are not using their pacifiers or sucking their thumbs. As always, if you’re concerned about these habits having a negative effect on your child’s oral development, make an appointment with your family dentist at your earliest convenience for dental care.

When you want your kids to receive the outstanding dental care they need to keep a straight and healthy set of teeth, put your trust in the specialists at Pediatric Dental Group in Honolulu. Give them a call at (808) 593-8828 today to speak with a receptionist about making an appointment for a child’s dental exam, and visit them online for more information about pediatric dentistry.