Hawaiian parents take great care of their children, teaching them healthy oral habits from a young age. Thumb-sucking is a common activity you see in small babies and toddlers. However, they tend to stop after some time. But what happens if they do not stop? When children continue thumb-sucking past a certain age, it can cause oral health problems.
If your child is suffering from dental issues due to thumb-sucking, visit a dentist in Honolulu, HI today.
When does thumb-sucking cause an oral health issue?
The longer your child sticks to the thumb-sucking habit, the greater the likelihood of oral health problems. However, there is no such age at which thumb sucking is acceptable and causes tooth issues afterward. This is partially due to the fact that many aspects affect whether a child’s thumb-sucking behavior will result in crooked teeth, and the duration of the habit is just one of them.
According to some research, kids who do not stop sucking their finger or thumb until they are five years old or older have a higher chance of developing bite problems than kids who stop sucking earlier.
How does thumb-sucking affect your oral health?
Up to a certain age, thumb sucking is considered normal among children. However, some children are unable to remove this habit and continue sucking their thumbs which causes several dental problems later. These are as follows:
- Jaw development: Since your child’s jaw develops as they age, continuous thumb sucking can impact their growth and affect teeth development as well. The constant pressure while thumb sucking can cause your teeth to shift in an unnatural direction.
- Misaligned teeth: Thumb-sucking habit can also cause your teeth to misalign. Some of the most common teeth alignment issues are overbite and open bite. If left untreated, these can restrict normal oral functions and make it difficult to chew or bite foods.
- Problems with speech development: Overbite and open bite can also affect your child’s speech ability. Children with thumb-sucking habits constantly push their tongue against the front teeth, which may result in poor tongue control. The child may face difficulty with the R, S, L, and Z sounds.
Tips to break your child’s bad habit.
Most children quit their thumb-sucking habit around the age of 2 to 4 years. However, if they still keep doing it, it is time to break their habit.
Explain to your children the downsides of sucking their thumbs and oral health problems it can cause. Scold them when you see them sucking their thumbs, and praise them with kind gestures when they stop.
If your child has a habit of thumb-sucking, speak to an oral health expert today!