When Should I Be Concerned About Thumb Sucking





Thumb sucking is a natural response for children who usually do it because it helps console and comfort them.  This is a natural event for children and is not usually anything you need to be concerned about until they begin to get their permanent teeth.

Some factors can damage the alignment of the teeth more so than other factors. Research shows that the intensity in which your child sucks their thumb along with how often they suck their thumb are two factors that can influence the potential damage to their teeth.  Most children will naturally stop sucking their thumb between the ages of 2 and 4.

If your child gets their permanent teeth and they are still sucking their thumb, you may want to begin helping support them to stop. You do not want to nag or punish your child for this behavior as it only may increase their need for comfort, thus increasing their desire to suck on their thumb.

You may want to curb this habit if you begin to notice that the shape of your child’s teeth is beginning to change, or if they are vigorously sucking their thumb often. Contact Dr. Cameron Fuller and his team for strategies to help your child decrease thumb sucking.


For more information on thumb sucking and how you can support your child, contact Dr. Fuller and his team.

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