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Does Thumb Sucking Affect Your Child’s Teeth

According to dentists in Pompano Beach, thumb sucking is a common habit among children, especially during their infant years. While not all thumb sucking can cause problems to their oral health, frequent and active thumb sucking can cause permanent damage to your child’s teeth and gums. If you want to learn more about how it can affect your child’s dental health, here’s how persistent and vigorous thumb sucking can change the way your child’s teeth grow.  

Dentist in Pompano Beach examining child's teeth

Effects of Thumb Sucking on Children

Long-Term Effects of Thumb Sucking

The long-term effects of vigorous thumb sucking can endanger your child’s overall oral health. From bite issues and crooked teeth to changes to the shape of the jaw, thumb sucking can cause severe damage if left unchecked and untreated. If your child is still sucking their thumb even in the early stages of their toddler years, it’s time that you resolve these issues before it develops into something worse.   

Thumb Sucking Impacts on Teeth

Frequent thumb sucking can impact your child’s teeth and mouth in several ways. One notable damage that it can cause is crooked teeth. Crooked teeth happen when your child’s permanent teeth don’t fully grow because of the pressure applied when they’re sucking their teeth. Because of the repetitive pressure applied to the still-growing teeth, numerous complications can arise because of this.   

When Do Children Need to Stop Sucking Their Thumbs?

Children should stop sucking their thumbs when they start losing their baby teeth. As your child’s permanent teeth begin to come in, they should remove their habit of sucking their thumb. This is to avoid future complications and permanent damage to their permanent teeth.   

How to Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb

In younger children, you can remove their thumb from their mouth every time you see them do it. Preventing your child from sucking their thumb at a young age can help them form a healthy habit of avoiding this practice. Sometimes, children do this unconsciously; that’s why it’s essential to guide and correct them while they’re growing.   

Dentist in Pompano Beach checking black girl's teeth

Does your Child Need a Reliable Dentist in Pompano Beach?

When it comes to oral health care, we provide quick and reliable services to help you manage your dental problems. Here at Park Plaza Dental, we’ll ensure that you get the best benefits for your oral health. Get in touch with our team today! 

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