If you have a baby, you can’t help but wonder, “How does thumb sucking affect teeth?” Is it simply a comforting habit you don’t need to worry about, or can it do damage? In order to fully understand, “How does thumb sucking affect teeth?” you have to look at various factors.

Infants and Thumb Sucking – What You Need to Know

You probably first asked, “How does thumb sucking affect teeth?” when your baby was born. It’s perfectly normal for newborns to suck their thumbs. In fact, thumb sucking has some benefits for infants. It relaxes them and provides a sense of security. It can even help your baby develop jaw and mouth muscles. That means you don’t need to worry about, “How does thumb sucking affect teeth in newborns?”

How Does Thumb Sucking Affect Teeth in Older Children?

When researching,” How does thumb sucking affect teeth?” you’ll see a lot of information on thumb sucking for older children. If children continue to suck their thumbs after the age of 4, they can do serious and even permanent damage to their teeth and mouths. This is what you want to know when asking, “How does thumb sucking affect teeth?”

Thumb sucking can prevent permeant teeth from fully erupting, and it can push permanent teeth forward. That means your child will likely need braces down the road.

Your child can also end up with a misaligned jaw, issues with the roof of the mouth, and even problems pronouncing words.

How to Stop the Habit

Now that you know the answer to, “How does thumb sucking affect teeth?” you have another question. How can you get your child to stop sucking his or her thumb? It might seem like an impossible task, but you can do it by using a reward system. Set up a chart and give your child rewards. Also, your dentist can help your child develop healthy habits.

Get the Answers to, “How Does Thumb Sucking Affect Teeth?”

Dr. Marguilles and the team at Amboy Orthodontics are experts in orthodontics. We are happy to answer any questions pertaining to Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, braces, and clear braces in Woodbridge, NJ, 07001; Hopelawn, NJ; Keasbey, NJ; Maurer, NJ; and the surrounding area. If you would like to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Marguilles, please contact Amboy Orthodontics at 732-442-7300 or visit https://amboyortho.com.