{"id":47,"date":"2020-12-12T17:10:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-12T17:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplypedoortho.com\/blog\/?p=47"},"modified":"2021-01-29T19:24:38","modified_gmt":"2021-01-29T19:24:38","slug":"pelham-pediatric-dentist-thumb-sucking-childs-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplypedoorthopelham.com\/blog\/2020\/12\/12\/pelham-pediatric-dentist-thumb-sucking-childs-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Thumb Sucking Influence My Child\u2019s Oral Development?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Did you know that about 90% of infants start to suck their thumbs<\/a> (or fingers) within two hours after birth? In fact, some even start this habit while they\u2019re still in the womb! While this adorable trademark of babies everywhere is completely natural, it has the potential to negatively influence your child\u2019s growing smile and cause long-lasting complications. So when should your little one stop sucking their thumb, and how can you help them? Read on as your Pelham pediatric dentist explains everything you need to know about this habit and how to keep your child\u2019s growing smile safe and healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s Considered \u201cNormal\u201d for Thumb Sucking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no need to panic if your little one sucks their thumb! Experts in child development suggest that thumb and finger sucking is a means of self-comfort. Children may suck their thumb if they feel stressed, upset, hungry, tired, nervous, or bored. Generally, most kids will naturally stop this habit on their own between the ages of two and four.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a parent, you already know that kids grow pretty quickly. Key parts of their oral development happen around the age of four, including how their mouth, jaws, and permanent teeth form. If your son or daughter is still sucking their thumb by then, or is sucking their thumb aggressively with lots of jaw movement, this habit can begin to impact how their precious smile grows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Thumb Sucking Impact Dental Development?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While thumb sucking is harmless at first, the extra pressure it exerts in the mouth can significantly influence how it forms. Extra force on your little one\u2019s baby teeth, gum ridge, and jaws from thumb sucking can lead to issues like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n