Is Thumb Sucking Harmful for Child’s Teeth?

Thumb sucking is a common comfort habit in babies and toddlers, and it usually causes no harm if the child stops by 3–4 years of age. However, if the habit continues for longer or is done with strong pressure, it can affect the teeth and jaw. Problems may include forwardly placed upper teeth, open bite (gap between front teeth or narrowing of the upper jaw.
Most children naturally give up the habit, but if it continues beyond 4–5 years, parents should consult a pediatric dentist. Gentle encouragement, positive reinforcement and in some cases, professional guidance can help a child stop.
Your Saraswati Dental College team is here to help!
We are proud to be well-known pediatric dental experts in Saraswati Dental College and Hospital. We are here to help you and your child adjust to their new world of dentist visits in any way that we can. If you think it would be helpful to introduce your child to our team before their appointment, please let us know and we are happy to make that happen. You and your child are in great hands with our trusted team and don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. If you’re ready to schedule your child’s visit, let’s get started!
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