Stop that thumb sucking!
by RachelTheWriterWhile thumb sucking is a perfectly normal thing for small children to do, and most go through a thumb sucking phase, it is best to try to stop this as soon as possible. This goes for a dummy too by the way. Why is this?
Thumb sucking is a good way for children to bend their teeth out of position. While thumb sucking may not cause teeth to go out of shape in itself, it can certainly make the problem worse in kids with hereditary problems. Experts have recently told the U.S. food and drug administration that thumb sucking after the age of seven can affect not just the teeth, but also the alignment of the jaw.
So if you don’t want your child to have to wear braces and other orthodontic appliances in later life or have a wonky smile, try and kick that thumb sucking habit in the butt as soon as you can! Vigilance is the best way to do it – try and distract your child whenever you see their thumb going towards their mouth. It’s a hard habit to kick, but it is just that – a habit. There is no reason why a child should suck his or her thumb so stay firm, and think of the benefits for your child’s teeth in the long run, even if he or she protests.
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