Can Finger and Thumb-Sucking Damage Toddler Teeth?
Do you ever wonder when your child should stop sucking their thumb? Do you ever wonder if thumb or finger-sucking is causing damage to toddler teeth? As both a mom and a dentist, this is a question I too had to ask. The answer to this is yes and no. Many toddlers love the comfort that thumb or finger sucking provides. They feel safe, secure and comforted by this small, seemingly harmless act. In fact, they often feel so comforted by it that we, as parents, are more concerned about making them stop rather than the potential damage it may cause. Especially because we know that the process will likely be full of tantrums and more sleepless nights! Thumb and finger sucking can be safe for toddler teeth up to a certain age range. In general, thumb or finger sucking is safe up to around the age of four. Children who suck their thumb or fingers will usually get what the general public calls “bucked teeth.” This is when the teeth in the front of the mouth start to stick out and appear large an
