While running the Greenville Family Dentistry office, Dr. Christopher Emuedue is happy to advise new parents on how to care for their baby’s oral health. Thumb sucking is a common behavior in toddlers, and parents often worry about whether it’s a problem.
Usually, children’s skull bones are flexible enough for changes in shape resulting from thumb sucking during their early years to resolve themselves. However, if thumb sucking (or pacifier sucking) persists after the age of five, when children start losing their baby teeth, it can endanger their oral health. Misaligned jaws, misshapen mouth cavities, and misaligned teeth are all known to be caused by thumb sucking at a late age.
Sometimes when they are discouraged from thumb sucking, children will develop a habit of thrusting their tongues against their front teeth, instead. This is equally problematic. While there are orthodontic devices which can discourage these behaviors, because they may result from anxiety, it is best to try to get the child to understand the reason for the dentist’s concern and to participate in breaking their bad habits.
Dr. Christopher Emuedue operates Greenville Family Dentistry at 7215 I-30, Suite B, Greenville, Texas, 75402. To schedule an appointment, call 903-455-6701 or visit GreenvilleFamilyDentistryTX.com and fill out a contact sheet.
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