Are thumb sucking or using a pacifier harmful for my child’s teeth?
Thumb sucking and the use of a pacifier are the most common forms of sucking habits that affect the shape of your childs mouth and alignment of teeth. Sucking habits should be discouraged by 3 years of age. If they are allowed to continue, changes in your childs bone structure and teeth can cause bite problems and interference of normal tooth position and eruption. Most children stop these habits on their own, but if they are still sucking their thumbs or fingers when their permanent teeth arrive, a mouth appliance may be recommended by the pediatric dentist to help stop the habit.
