Is sucking on thumbs/fingers harmful?
Sucking is one of a baby’s natural reflexes. As children get older, they may suck on things like thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, and other objects to serve different purposes. Some of these purposes may be to help them feel secure, to soothe themselves, or to help them relax. When your child’s permanent (adult teeth) begin to erupt, sucking habits may cause problems. Some of these problems may include improper growth of the mouth, misalignment of teeth, and can cause changes in the roof of the mouth. When the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt, children should cease from sucking habits. The usual age for children to stop is between two and four years old. Here are some helpful tips to help your child keep from sucking: a) Praise them for not sucking rather than scolding them when they do. b) Ask your dentist to encourage your child to stop sucking and have them explain what could happen to their teeth if they don’t stop. c) If your child is older, talk to your dentist about making a
