{"id":42,"date":"2021-09-30T20:22:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T20:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/blog\/?p=42"},"modified":"2021-10-08T20:22:53","modified_gmt":"2021-10-08T20:22:53","slug":"is-thumb-sucking-bad-for-your-childs-oral-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/blog\/2021\/09\/30\/is-thumb-sucking-bad-for-your-childs-oral-health\/","title":{"rendered":"You Asked, We Answered: Is Thumb-Sucking Bad For Your Child&#8217;s Oral Health?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Picture1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Closeup of child sucking their thumb\" class=\"wp-image-43\" width=\"262\" height=\"174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Picture1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Picture1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Picture1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Picture1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Picture1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 262px) 100vw, 262px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Does your child suck their thumb? If you\u2019re reading this article, then the answer is most likely \u201cyes.\u201d First, it\u2019s important to know that it is a very common self-soothing behavior in young children. In fact, some babies even begin this habit in utero! With that being said, it is natural to wonder about the effects of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/thumb-sucking.html\">thumb-sucking<\/a> on your child\u2019s oral health. Will it negatively impact their smile? Does it increase their risk of tooth decay? Keep reading for the answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So, Is Thumb-Sucking Bad for Your Child\u2019s Oral Health?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The answer to this question really depends on your child\u2019s age. If they are an infant or toddler and engage in this stress-relieving behavior, you likely have nothing to worry about. However, if your child is four or older, then this chronic habit can affect their bite. Not only can this lead to orthodontic issues, like open bites, but it can also negatively impact their ability to chew and speak clearly. Therefore, it\u2019s a good idea to help your child stop sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Each child is different. While some respond best to positive reinforcement, others learn lessons from discouragement. Either way, it\u2019s important to be patient. Remember, stress will only increase your child\u2019s desire to suck their thumb. So, be kind when implementing the below approaches:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Offer them a different coping mechanism, like a soft blanket or a stuffed animal.<\/li><li>Track their behavior with a sticker chart, rewarding them along the way.<\/li><li>Praise good habits.<\/li><li>Place a bandage or sock over their thumbs.<\/li><li>Communicate the negative consequences of thumb-sucking (if your child is old enough to understand, of course).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How a Pediatric Dentist Can Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a parent, you have a lot on your plate. Although it can be tempting to try to be an expert at everything regarding your child\u2019s health, it\u2019s sometimes best to speak with a professional. A pediatric dentist won\u2019t just have information on how to help your little one stop sucking their thumb, they will also have a tremendous amount of insight into your child\u2019s teeth, gums, and overall oral health. As a result, they can support you and guide you in caring for your child\u2019s growing smile at every stage of their life, starting when they are an infant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a parent, it\u2019s natural to worry about your child\u2019s thumb-sucking behavior. After all, you want them to be as healthy and happy as possible! Fortunately, the above tips can help them break the habit altogether. If you need any assistance in the process, don\u2019t hesitate to contact their pediatric dentist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/meet-dr-sedighi.html\">Dr. Homer Sedighi<\/a> is a board-certified pediatric dentist who has years of experience in the world of dentistry. Caring for children is truly his passion, and it drives everything he does. In addition to caring for growing smiles inside the office, he also is a Faculty Member at the Mercy Children\u2019s Hospital and an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. In short, what makes him different isn\u2019t just his expertise and training, it\u2019s his dedication and care. If your child consistently sucks their thumb or is simply overdue for an appointment, don\u2019t hesitate to visit his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidsdentistry.com\/contact.html\">website<\/a> or give him a call at <strong>636-777-7777<\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Does your child suck their thumb? If you\u2019re reading this article, then the answer is most likely \u201cyes.\u201d First, it\u2019s important to know that it is a very common self-soothing behavior in young children. In fact, some babies even begin this habit in utero! With that being said, it is natural to wonder about the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Is Thumb-Sucking Bad For Your Child&#039;s Oral Health? l Dr. Homer Sedighi<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Does your child engage in thumb-sucking? 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