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When you see your baby is sucking its thumb, you think: Aww, how cute!
As cute and harmless it may seem, thumb sucking has its cons. Thumb sucking and pacifier use are natural self-soothing behaviours for babies, but continuous thumb sucking can lead to dental concers.
At The Little Tooth in Saskatoon, we know how important it is to establish good oral health habits early on. So, in this post, we will discuss these effects and understand it better.
The Effects of Thumb Sucking on Dental Health
The practice of thumb sucking offers comfort to children but maintaining this habit for long periods leads to dental problems which include:
Tooth Misalignment:
The natural position of teeth can shift due to prolonged thumb sucking which causes open bites and overbites. Problems with proper food chewing and possible future orthodontic treatment might result from the inability to align teeth properly.
Palate Changes:
The pressure from thumb sucking can affect the palate which potentially causes harm to jaw development and shapes the whole oral structure. Continuous thumb pressure on the palate can result in facial development problems that could cause breathing problems or tongue position issues.
Speech Development Issues:
Faulty teeth positions and modified mouth shapes often create difficulties that interfere with speech production, particularly when it comes to specific sounds. Misaligned teeth and altered mouth structure lead to communication challenges that need speech therapy with an orthodontic procedure to resolve them.
How Extended Pacifier Use Affects Teeth
Using pacifiers helps comfort babies, yet continuous pacifier usage might result in oral health problems. The Canadian Dental Association suggests a slow reduction of pacifier use according to child development because it helps avoid these problems:
Dental Alignment Problems:
Extended pacifier use can push teeth out of place, causing crossbites or open bites. This can impact how a child’s teeth fit together, potentially leading to difficulties with biting and chewing, and may require braces or other corrective treatments.
Higher Risk of Ear Infections:
Research indicates that prolonged pacifier use leads to more ear infections that might impact the general well-being of infants. Ear infections lead to painful conditions that risk developing into hearing loss alongside balance problems after multiple occurrences.
Difficulty Breaking the Habit:
The longer a child relies on a pacifier, the harder it may be to stop, increasing the risk of long-term dental issues. Gradually reducing pacifier use and replacing it with other soothing methods can help ease the transition and promote healthy oral development.
Tips to Help Your Child Transition Away from Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers
We support Saskatoon families in fostering healthy dental habits. Here are some ways to encourage your child to stop thumb sucking or using a pacifier:
Use Positive Reinforcement: You should reward and praise your child when they stay away from the habit. Children can keep progressing through small reward programs offering stickers or special outings.
Introduce Alternative Comforts: Instead of pacifiers, provide a comfort item from their favorite toys or blanket. The addition of alternative comfort items helps children break their oral dependency and gives them simpler ways to manage stress.
Schedule Regular Dental Check-ups: We can track your child’s dental progress and solve problems swiftly before they become severe. Early intervention helps prevent serious dental issues while guaranteeing proper development of teeth and jaws.
Book an Appointment at The Little Tooth
If you’re concerned about how thumb sucking or pacifier use is affecting your child’s teeth, our Saskatoon pediatric dental team is here to help. We offer expert guidance and personalized care to support your child’s oral health journey.
