While sucking one's thumb is harmless in infants aged 6-12 months, it can cause health problems for children as young as 5 or in early adolescence. For example, lacking healthy emotional control, as this shows.
Thumb sucking can cause damage to your teeth, and unlike babies and toddlers, we don't have pacifiers or teethers to help. In addition, as your dentist in Apache Junction can attest, there are negative consequences to sucking one's thumb for extended periods.
Dental Malocclusion and Teeth Misalignment
Dentists say this is an irreversible issue where the teeth are crooked. Because of your crooked teeth and bad bites caused by your teeth's misalignment, you can't close your mouth tightly.
Malocclusion causes problems like an open bite or an overbite. An open bite is characterized by the upper and lower front teeth being positioned to face outward. In an overbite, the upper teeth overlap the lower ones.
Metal braces may not be placed appropriately due to overlapping teeth, but a variety of oral devices can help.
Orthodontists commonly use braces for the correction of severe malocclusion. But, unfortunately, kids don't always like metal braces because the arch wire can come loose, and the brackets can come off.
Kids either don't have time to readjust and replace the braces when their teeth shift or don't want to.
Social Downsides
Judgment problems are another consequence of thumb-sucking, like those associated with speech disorders. As a psychological or developmental issue, parents shouldn't brush it off.
Lisping and trouble pronouncing words can come from thumb sucking and can induce stuttering by affecting tooth formation.
Thumb sucking mis-aligns teeth, which affects tongue positioning. A tongue thrust can force the teeth outward in an overbite, causing speech issues.
By visiting a pediatrician or dentist, you can help your child learn to express themselves in a way that will not be ridiculed.
Protect yourself by visiting a family dentist. Find a new Apache Junction orthodontist and discuss orthodontic and dental care options with your dentist.
Habit-Breaking Tips To Stop Thumb Sucking
Ideally, you'd have your child stop sucking their thumb by age 4. Then, positive reinforcement can be switched out for positive reinforcement as healthy rewards.
Kids naturally understand that adults will recognize and praise good behavior, so make them work while explaining why they should stop sucking their thumbs.
Children who soothe themselves by sucking their thumbs are less likely to cry. Unfortunately, punishing them physically may make their thumb-sucking even worse.
Make use of the comforting company of a plush toy to feel safe. Determine the reasons for and patterns of thumb sucking. Children can sleep with lullabies or a story, even if it is well past bedtime.
There's a chance your kid is sucking his thumb and doesn't even know it. Keep an eye out and try to dissuade them from it before it becomes a habit.
Get Help From Apache Junction Local Dentist To Fix Thumb Sucking Issues
Several treatments for thumb-sucking have been discussed, and if anyone tries to break bad habits or encourage healthy ones, it's essential to get to the root of the problem.
A visit to your family dentist can help where a mild medication, thumb-sucking protection, or dental device may be presented according to who the thumb sucker is.
It's in your child's best interest to be as relaxed as possible; children need help learning to control their feelings, and parents can provide that help.
If you wish to know more, all you need to do is Contact Martin Dental for expert dental care. Alternatively, you can fill in the quick form for a fast response from the team.
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