When, Why, and How to Stop Your Child’s Thumb-Sucking Habit

Should you allow your child to continue sucking their thumb until they stop naturally? Your optometrist in Parrish, FL, will tell you emphatically, no! You shouldn’t! And here’s why.

Allowing your child to continue sucking their thumb past a certain age could cause lifelong dental and social issues (more about that in a moment).

When to Stop Your Child’s Thumb-Sucking Habit

Babies suck their thumbs as a self-soothing mechanism. It’s natural and normal. Most children wean themselves off thumb-sucking around the age of three. However, if they are still sucking their thumb after the age of four, it could cause long-term dental problems.

Why Stop Your Child’s Thumb-Sucking Habit

Here are just a few of the oral issues your child could develop if they continue sucking their thumb after the age of four.

•       Overbite, open bite
•       Misaligned teeth
•       Speech impediments
•       Social impacts

How to Stop Your Child’s Thumb-Sucking Habit

Your child’s optometrist has what’s called a palatal crib appliance. It’s a semicircle of wires placed behind your child’s front teeth. The palatal crib prevents contact between your child’s thumb and gums. Breaking this contact removes the pleasure sensation a child receives from sucking their thumb.

So, without a pleasant response, your child no longer needs to suck their thumb and no need to continue the thumb-sucking behavior.

The palatal crib is non-invasive and works like a charm. And children don’t seem to mind it. This early orthodontic treatment in Parrish, FL, is the one simple thing that could save you thousands of dollars in dental treatments later.

Needless to say, it’s well worth being proactive when it comes to caring for your child’s dental needs.

Looking for an Optometrist in Parrish, FL?

If you want help stopping your child’s thumb-sucking habit, please Contact Orthodontic Specialists today. Our non-intrusive oral appliances will break that habit in no time, saving you thousands of dollars in dental treatments.