Whether done for comfort, due to anxiety, or out of habit, thumb sucking in children can lead to dental problems later in life. Many parents may wish to address thumb sucking at an early age before it becomes a problem, and they would be right to do so.

Parents need to understand how thumb sucking affects their child’s teeth and what can be done to address the issue before it impacts the child’s teeth long-term.

Does Thumb Sucking Harm A Child’s Teeth?

If an infant sucks their thumb, it may not result in any dental problems. Normally, children tend to stop sucking their thumbs as their teeth begin to come in. In some cases this is due to the child developing other coping mechanisms due to language or mobility. However, as a child ages and thumb sucking occurs, it begins to become a concern because it can affect their permanent teeth alignment and their bite. Some studies show that even in children as young as two years, thumb sucking can have negative effects on the jaw. (more…)