Young children may develop a habit of sucking on their thumbs to soothe themselves when they are tired or stressed. Most thumb-sucking, if mild, doesn’t give your dentist cause to worry, but it can damage your child’s permanent teeth if they continue the habit as they age. Here’s what you should know about the problems thumb-sucking can cause and how to help your child to stop.

What Thumb-Sucking Does

Sucking on thumbs day and night puts pressure on teeth. Over time, the continual pressure can cause the teeth to move, bowing them outward and preventing teeth from fully closing. The problem isn’t just cosmetic. It makes eating more difficult and can affect your child's speech.

Helping Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb

Children who stop sucking their thumbs on their own usually do so between the ages of 2 and 4, although some may stop much earlier, by 6 or 7 months. You may not have to take any corrective action, especially if they suck gently or only hold their thumb in their mouth. If, however, they haven't stopped sucking their thumb before they begin to lose their baby teeth, or if they are still sucking aggressively at age 4, you’ll have to step in to break the habit.

First, praise your child whenever their thumb isn’t in their mouth. Next, pay attention to when and why your child sucks their thumb. If it's out of boredom, redirect them with a toy or activity. If they suck when they're tired, add a nap to their schedule or move bedtime up. You can also have your dentist talk to your children. Young children may like the attention, and dentists can be very convincing when it comes to dental care.

If you're looking for a family dentistry office to help your children develop healthy smiles, choose Jim S. Caudill, DMD, PSC, in Hazard, KY. Serving Perry County for almost 45 years, this experienced dentist offers a full range of services, from basic checkups and cleanings to Invisalign® treatments. To schedule an appointment, call (606) 436-3432, or view a full list of services online.