Are Your Child's Teeth At Risk From Thumb Sucking And Pacifier Use?
Posted on 1/23/2023 by Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry
You may be surprised to learn that a baby sucking their thumb, finger, or pacifier is natural. It is a natural reflex that gives security and contentment and serves as a means for infants to learn about their environment.
Sucking The Thumb Or Using A Pacifier Should Be Discouraged In Children. True or False?
Between the ages of two and four, most youngsters cease sucking their thumbs and sucking on pacifiers on their own. Some youngsters, on the other hand, persist until they reach adulthood. As pacifiers and thumb-sucking habits develop, they can increase the likelihood of developing dental problems such as jaw misalignment, tooth decay, narrowing of the roof of the mouth, slanted teeth, and mouth ulcers.
New means of self-soothing, calming down and amusing oneself emerge as children mature. However, some youngsters require the assistance of their parents and their pediatric dentist to break the practice of thumb sucking.
How Do You Get Your Child To Quit Sucking On Their Thumb Or Pacifier?
You can do a few things when your kid is old enough to grasp the consequences of a bad habit like thumb sucking. To help your child avoid self-harming behaviors such as thumb sucking, teach them to sing a song, hold a stuffed animal, or read a book instead.
To help your youngster learn to calm their anxieties and put off their desires without sucking, use patience, stretching, and breathing exercises daily. Use a pacifier only when necessary, such as during a child's sleep or during times of high anxiety.
Allow your child to go long periods without a pacifier. Try out a nail polish that tastes a little bit nauseous. Speak to us if your child has trouble quitting their bad habit, despite your best efforts to support them. Children who are struggling with unhealthy habits can benefit from our suggestions.
Blog - Wichita, KS • Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry At Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Healy created this informative blog to assist with educating the community about various topics of pediatric dentistry. Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry, 3933 N. Maize Road, Suite 200 Wichita, KS 67101; (316) 202-9629; tinyteethwichita.com; 10/3/2024; Page Phrases: Pediatric Dentist Wichita KS;
You may be surprised to learn that a baby sucking their thumb, finger, or pacifier is natural. It is a natural reflex that gives security and contentment and serves as a means for infants to learn about their environment.