{"id":60,"date":"2023-09-03T00:35:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-03T00:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/?p=60"},"modified":"2023-10-20T00:37:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T00:37:28","slug":"the-effects-of-prolonged-thumb-sucking-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/the-effects-of-prolonged-thumb-sucking-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Effects of Prolonged Thumb-Sucking in Children"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Thumb-sucking is a common soothing mechanism for infants and toddlers, and if you\u2019re a parent yourself, you\u2019ve probably enjoyed those brief moments of reprieve when your child has calmed down thanks to their thumb. However, when this habit persists, it can lead to various dental and developmental issues. Continue reading below to learn a little more from your trusted pediatric dentist<\/a> about how prolonged thumb-sucking can cause problems for your little one, along with some tips for stopping it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Is Prolonged Thumb-Sucking Problematic?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Up to a certain point, it\u2019s normal for your little one to suck on their thumb; in fact, the American Dental Association estimates that children often stop this behavior by their third or fourth birthday. It\u2019s undeniably helpful when it comes to helping a child cope with anxiety or stress\u2014however, it can have some damaging dental effects if it becomes a long-term habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, prolonged thumb-sucking can negatively impact the development of your child\u2019s teeth, causing their upper and lower teeth not to come together evenly. These open bites can make it difficult for your child to eat and speak\u2014and it can also influence their self-image!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Discourage Thumb-Sucking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are some general tips that can help you encourage your child to refrain from sucking their thumb:<\/p>\n\n\n\n