If you have children, you probably understand there are several things you’ll need to do for them. Similarly, there are a few things you should help them avoid doing. Still, what do you do about your little one’s thumb sucking?
As you might know, thumb sucking is a perfectly normal habit, though some parents try to prevent their child from sucking by giving them a pacifier while they’re young. Most children tend to start when they’re about a year old, but will usually stop by the time they’re four. If your children suck their thumb between these ages, you shouldn’t expect any serious problems. However, you may need to help your child stop sucking if they don’t stop on their own. If you don’t, they could damage the root of their mouth and even affect how their teeth come in.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help your child stop sucking their thumb. For example, if you put something bitter or sour on their thumb, they’ll be less likely to suck their thumbs. You may also use a finger splint. Still, you should know that some children will react poorly to these efforts. In fact, if this happens, your child might be even more likely to suck their thumbs.
If you’re interested in learning more about the care you can receive from our team, or about how you can help your child deal with thumb sucking in Raleigh, North Carolina, we invite you to give Midtown Dental a call at 919-847-8074. Our dentist, Dr. Seth Rumley, and our team look forward to hearing from you soon.