Can thumbsucking damage my childs teeth?
Thumbsucking is a normal, soothing reflex for babies and young children. However, as permanent teeth come in, continued thumbsucking may cause improper tooth alignment. Different factors determine if dental problems will occur resulting from thumbsucking, including how often your child sucks his or her thumb, how long they’ve been sucking their thumb, and how much force the child uses. Children should stop sucking their thumb by the time their permanent teeth come in–usually around six or seven years of age.
