Will thumb-sucking harm my child’s teeth?
March 28, 2009 by Robin Beckett
SECOND OPINION
by Ashley Tercero, DDS
Will thumb-sucking harm my child’s teeth?
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Dr. Tercero says: Non-nutritive sucking habits (finger or pacifier sucking) are normal in infants and toddlers. These habits help address a child’s need to feel secure.
Although normal and harmless for young children, non-nutritive sucking can result in long-term problems if persistent. Prolonged finger or pacifier sucking can lead to a permanent open bite and other dental and jaw deformities.
In order to prevent these problems, the habit must stop by age 5. However, the difficulty of ceasing this habit increases with age, so it’s best to stop the habit before age 3. If the habit persists beyond the age of 3, it’s recommended to see a dentist for professional evaluation.
— Ashley Tercero, DDS, is a children’s dentist at Yakima Pediatric Dentistry.
Her 7-month-old daughter, Kya, doesn’t have any teeth.
Filed under From the Mag, Second Opinion
There is a great product for kids and both my kids loved it. it is called Thumbuddy To Love and if you start early say at age 3, you have a good chance at stopping thumb sucking. I think the web site is thumbuddytolove.com
If Thumb sucking goes for too long (like past age 5) the teeth will start to push forward..my husband is a dentist..
@Jill, thanks for your reference to the Thumbuddy to Love. I’m going to check it out, I appreciate it.