Many parents come to our Lynnwood Dentistry with concerns about their child’s thumb-sucking. Indeed, habitual sucking can cause teeth to come in crooked, which may eventually call for costly orthodontia work. You should encourage your child to stop sucking on thumbs or pacifiers before his or her permanent teeth start to come in. Most children will give up the habit by themselves between the ages of two and four, but if they persist beyond this point you might need to intervene.
Many children suck on their thumbs to comfort themselves in times of insecurity. Explore what may be causing their anxiety and help them address these issues. You can also keep your child mindful of the habit by putting a bandage around the thumb, or putting socks over his or her hands during the night.
Your dentist can also be instrumental in helping to kick the sucking habit as well. A dental professional can gently advise your child on the possible consequences of thumb-sucking, and problem cases can be given a special product to avert serious damage. Talk to your Lynnwood dentist today for more about your child’s problem.
