{"id":3660,"date":"2021-07-05T10:00:41","date_gmt":"2021-07-05T10:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/?p=3660"},"modified":"2024-03-07T01:18:30","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T01:18:30","slug":"the-dangers-of-prolonged-thumb-sucking-pacifier-use","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/dental-blog\/the-dangers-of-prolonged-thumb-sucking-pacifier-use\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dangers of Prolonged Thumb-Sucking & Pacifier Use"},"content":{"rendered":"
Of all the things that babies do, thumb-sucking has got to be one of the cutest.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Newborns instinctively suck on their fingers (most often the thumb) for a couple of different reasons:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Understandably, thumb-sucking and pacifier use often become a habit as a result.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But once a child\u2019s permanent teeth start coming in, continued sucking can have a negative impact on their dental health.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you have a newborn or <\/span>young child<\/b><\/a>, you want them to grow up with a healthy smile. So, it\u2019s essential to understand how these habits can affect them and what you can do to help your little one grow out of them on time.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Follow along as we go over everything you need to know about thumb-sucking and pacifier use, including when your child should break these habits, what can happen if they don\u2019t, and the best steps to help them stop.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we mentioned above, sucking on thumbs and pacifiers are completely normal things for babies and young children to do.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It can even happen while a child is still in the womb!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If they need to wind down for bed at night, popping a thumb in their mouth is often just the ticket. It\u2019s relaxing, comforting, and can help them get to sleep easier.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n And if you\u2019re a new parent, we don\u2019t have to tell you how powerful a pacifier can be. They\u2019re the weapon of choice when it comes to combating fits and tantrums.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But as their caregiver, knowing when enough is enough can help you protect their dental health and encourage the growth of a healthy smile.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Most often, children will naturally grow out of their thumb-sucking or pacifier habit anywhere from two to four years of age. This is usually around the time their permanent teeth start coming in.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Of course, every child is different; some may get their adult teeth sooner than others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to keep a close eye on their dental health, so you\u2019ll know if and when it\u2019s time to intervene.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If your child is still using a pacifier or sucking their thumb at three to four years old, but they don\u2019t have any permanent teeth yet, then there\u2019s no need to be concerned about any lasting issues.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But now that you know the natural age range, you can use your best judgment and start weaning them off once they approach the upper limit.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019re unsure whether it\u2019s time to start breaking the habit, you can always talk to your <\/span>San Diego dentist<\/b><\/a> for advice.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unfortunately, if your little one doesn\u2019t kick these habits before their permanent teeth come in, it can create developmental, alignment, and Cosmetic Dentistry Cary<\/a> issues for their smile.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Continued sucking places abnormal force on the adult teeth as they\u2019re trying to grow in properly. This undue pressure not only affects the alignment of your child\u2019s teeth, but also interrupts their <\/span>jaw development<\/b><\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Most commonly, prolonged pacifier use and thumb-sucking cause the following alignment issues:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Left arrow: Posterior crossbite. Center arrow: Anterior open bite.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A: Posterior crossbite with flared front teeth. B: Anterior open bite. C: Posterior crossbite with flared front teeth.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As you can imagine, alignment issues like these can make it challenging for your little one to bite down and chew.\u00a0<\/span>Not only that, but with flaring and gaps in their front teeth, they may find it hard to speak properly as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n We\u2019d love to say the issues stop there, but unfortunately, they don\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n To top it all off, posterior crossbites can put a lot of extra stress on their rear teeth, potentially leading to <\/span>fracturing<\/b><\/a> and even tooth loss.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are orthodontics and dental restorations that can help fix many of these problems if they do occur.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n But as a parent, you want your little one to enjoy a childhood free of dental health issues. Most importantly, you want their smile to last a lifetime.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, what can you do to help them break the habit?<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As a parent, you can help your little one grow out of these habits at home by weaning them off and using plenty of encouragement and positive reinforcement.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n First off, it\u2019s important to note that it\u2019s easier to wean a child off using a pacifier.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n So, whenever you notice your child sucking their thumb at home, make sure to offer them a pacifier instead. Following it up with a positive talk about why you\u2019re helping them stop the behavior can be a big help too.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Remember, do your best to be patient, understanding, and gentle during this process. It will take some time, and reprimanding them or trying to change their behavior when they\u2019re stressed out can do more harm than good.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you notice they tend to suck their thumb in response to stress, take some time to learn what triggers the behavior and take steps to ease their mind.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If they get nervous before going to daycare or preschool, try giving them some extra affection and reassurance whenever you drop them off.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If your little one turns to thumb-sucking for comfort throughout the day or at bedtime, having a favorite blanket or stuffed animal to hug can be the perfect replacement.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Many times, your child may not even notice they\u2019re doing it, and all it\u2019ll take is a quick reminder to stop.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Watch your little one closely and use your best judgment as you go through this developmental stage with them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ideally, you\u2019ll want to begin this process before their adult teeth start coming in. If they\u2019re still sucking their thumb and using a pacifier past that point, talk with your <\/span>San Diego dentist<\/b><\/a> as soon as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n They can closely monitor your child\u2019s dental health and help positively reinforce the importance of breaking these habits.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n When it comes to thumb-sucking and pacifier use, early intervention at home combined with expert care from a family-friendly professional is the best solution.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019re concerned about your child\u2019s dental health, having a family dentist is crucial.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Not only can it save you the time, money, and hassle of having multiple dentists, but it can also provide your little one with the positive and uplifting environment they need to create good habits at home.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n At Dental Express in San Diego, many of our doctors are <\/span>moms<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>dads<\/b><\/a> themselves and have decades of experience helping point loma children’s dentistry<\/a> build healthy relationships with dental care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n We understand what it takes, and we\u2019re committed to helping you and your family get there.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Contact <\/span>our offices<\/b><\/a> by phone today or set up an appointment online. Your little one deserves a healthy smile!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Tooth Fairy 101: How to Get Your Kid Excited About Dental Care<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n Healthy Oral Habits for Children\u2019s Dental Health Month<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n A Parent\u2019s Guide to Children\u2019s Dentistry<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n
A Totally Natural Reflex<\/span><\/h2>\n
When Should My Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb\/Using a Pacifier?<\/span><\/h2>\n
How Can The Dangers of Prolonged Thumb-Sucking & Pacifier Use Affect Their Dental Health?<\/span><\/h2>\n
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How Do I Help My Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb\/Using a Pacifier?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Your San Diego Family Dentist<\/span><\/h2>\n
Keep Reading<\/span><\/h2>\n