Tupelo, MS - Dr. John Kenney "Your Dental Health" Thumb Sucking

For many children, thumb and finger sucking is a way to calm and comfort themselves. However, this natural reflex can cause problems with emerging teeth. Thumb sucking can cause changes to the alignment of the teeth as well as changes to the roof of the mouth. Aggressive thumb sucking can even cause damage to the alignment of baby teeth. If your child is still sucking their thumb by age 3, or aggressively sucking their thumb, consult with your dentist about the best ways to help your child stop. Some methods are to praise the child for not thumb sucking or finding alternative comforting behaviors when the child is stressed or tired. If you are concerned with your child’s thumb sucking, consult with your pediatrician and dentist.