Good oral health begins in childhood, and at Vista Dental, we’re proud to be a resource for Medicine Hat families. Because thumb sucking is such a common behavior in small children, many parents wonder whether it is harming their child’s dental development. While it is not a good thing, whether it is a cause for concern depends on whether the child is close to losing their first baby teeth.
Babies and toddlers commonly suck their thumbs or a pacifier as a way of self-soothing. Because the connections between their skull bones are not fully developed, their faces are a bit more flexible than older children’s. However, baby teeth start falling out and being replaced with permanent teeth at around the age of five. Continued thumb sucking at this point will likely result in an overbite and could also cause other forms of misaligned teeth, or even misaligned jaws.
It is best to approach children over the age of four who are still sucking their thumbs by encouraging them to participate in breaking their own habit. If there is a deep-seated anxiety which is motivating their behavior, it may be necessary to consult with a child psychologist. Children sometimes develop a habit of pushing their tongues against their incisors as a substitute for thumb sucking, which also can cause an overbite.
Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit VistaDentalMH.Ca.
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