Thumb Sucking Treatment Near You
Along with their favorite teddy bears, thumb sucking can be a comforting aspect of your child’s life. According to statistics, around 75%- 95% of children suck their thumbs. If your child develops the habit of sucking their thumb, you may wonder if this is something to worry about. In most cases, this is not something that should cause you to worry, as most children stop on their own between 2 and 4 years of age.
However, it is essential to pay close attention to your child’s habits as this behavior could potentially affect their overall oral health if persistent beyond age 3. Our dental clinic provides advice on helping your child break this habit and thumb-sucking treatments near you.
What are the Long-Term Effects of Thumb Sucking?
Children who suck their thumbs for an extended period after their permanent teeth have developed can become prone to the following problems:
Jaw: Long-term thumb sucking can cause your child’s jaw to become misaligned.
Teeth: Continuous thumb sucking can lead to crooked teeth, particularly the front teeth.
Bite: Thumb sucking can cause issues with how the teeth bite together. An open bite or overbite can affect the jaw, health of the teeth, and the shape of your child’s face.
Thumb Sucking Treatment Near You
Although most children naturally grow out of their thumb-sucking habits, some children may continue to do so until five or six. If your child is over the age of six and continuously sucks their thumb, you may want to acquire thumb sucking treatment near you.
A typical appliance used to break the habit of thumb sucking is by using a palatal crib. The crib is crafted and attached to the teeth by your pediatric dentist. The palatal crib prevents the thumb from reaching the mouth’s roof, which can help break the habit quickly. There are also removable variations of the crib that are also recommended depending on your child’s age.
If your child needs thumb-sucking treatment near you, contact our dental clinic today!