WHEN TO WORRY ABOUT THUMB SUCKING!

In this article we look at why thumb sucking can become an issue and how best to help your child stop this habit for good.

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Young children love to discover ways of feeling soothed. Thumb or finger sucking is a common and natural habit that helps your little one to feel comfort and safety in the world around them. At the same time, it is good to be aware that children can often develop deviations in the look and set of their teeth and jaws as a result of thumb or finger sucking - and even as a result of using a dummy/ pacifier.

If the habit fades during early childhood, there is a good chance that any developmental differences will resolve themselves without any action needed. However, the likelihood of your child developing permanent shifts in growth or aesthetic issues in the teeth and jaws rises with age and this is especially true once your child begins to develop their adult teeth. In short, if a thumb sucking habit continues beyond two to four years old, it might be time to worry.

CONSEQUENCES OF THUMB SUCKING

Over time, thumb or finger sucking can have an impact on a child’s jaws and teeth in the following ways:

Developing a lisp