My child is a thumbsucker, when should I start to be concerned?
Thumbsucking is very common in infants and young children. If the habit continues once the permanent teeth erupt, then the tongue and other oral muscles will be trained improperly for swallowing and can result in misalignment of the teeth and improper growth of the mouth and jaws. I recommend starting to break the habit around age 5. Do it by praising the child when they are not sucking. Peer-pressure at school can also be a big help. If the habit still continues, then consult your dentist for advise.
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