During dental visits, a kid friendly dentist may advise parents to stop their youngsters from thumb-sucking. Continue reading to learn why a dentist advises against this habit. Called non-nutritive sucking, children often indulge in sucking their fingers and toes because they find it soothing.
Thumb or finger sucking is a common habit among almost all newborn children. When a kid is under the age of four, the practice is acceptable, but it becomes a problem once the child reaches the age of five. Thumb-sucking is a normal reaction for babies and more of a coping mechanism when dealing with anxiety. Finger sucking makes babies feel joyful, safe, and secure.
Once a child reaches the age of four, a kid friendly dentist will urge parents to prevent their children from indulging in this habit. Thumb-sucking beyond this age may be detrimental to their dental health. It may lead to teeth misalignment, bite issues, and jaw development problems. Parents may find it difficult to wean their children away from the practice and may resort to ignoring it altogether. A dentist's intervention may be necessary to stop the habit.
At the age of five or six, the pressure produced by sucking may begin to damage the child's teeth. The front teeth may protrude, and the upper and lower front teeth may cease meeting, resulting in an improper or open bite. These alterations, if ignored, may result in dental alignment problems when the permanent set of teeth emerges.
However, many parents are unaware of the dangers of thumb-sucking. Thumb-sucking in children causes a variety of problems, including misaligned teeth, deformed mouth roofs, overbite, misaligned jaw, and difficulties with pronunciation. It has long-term consequences for a kid who maintains the practice beyond the age of five. Correcting the issue necessitates expensive dental treatments, which often include orthodontic therapy.
Bite misalignment in younger children requires immediate examination by a kid friendly dentist to avoid abnormal jaw development. It is simpler to correct a bite issue if it is addressed at a young age. In extreme instances, kid friendly dentists may recommend placing a dental device such as a crib over the child's roof of the mouth to prevent them from sucking their thumbs.
Many children may overcome their desire to suck on their thumb if they know the negative consequences. However, it is hard to break habits. When a kid stops sucking their fingers, parents can offer positive reinforcement and praise them. They must also keep an eye on the child and recognize the triggers. Once they find and treat the root cause of the problem, quitting will be much easier. The habit may be broken with the assistance of a kid friendly dentist.
If a child is dealing with thumb-sucking, it is critical to intervene quickly to break the behavior before it causes bite issues. Parents may also seek guidance from a kid friendly dentist. Contact our dental office today to schedule a consultation if you have any other questions about thumb-sucking.
Request an appointment here: https://alexoldtowndental.com or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at (703) 763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.
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