Will Thumb And Pacifier Sucking Really Ruin My Child's Bite?
Many parents have heard that their child's thumb sucking and pacifier sucking can actually affect the shape of their child's mouth, thus impacting the future positioning of the teeth. Given the cost of orthodontic care, these concerns weigh heavily on the minds of many parents. Knowing the truth about the sucking habit and whether or not it will impact your child can help you keep your child's teeth in proper alignment.
Will thumb and pacifier sucking really ruin my child's bite?
It's true that thumb and pacifier sucking can have an impact on the shape of your child's mouth and thus the positioning of the teeth. When your child stops sucking, the shape of the mouth will usually correct itself. If this happens while your child has baby teeth, this is not a great concern.
It's not until your child's permanent teeth come in starting around 6 or 7 years old that thumb and pacifier sucking becomes a problem. At that point, thumb sucking and pacifier sucking can affect the position of the permanent teeth, which can lead to problems requiring orthodontic treatment.
This is why many pediatric dentists recommend that you help your child stop the habit of thumb sucking and pacifier sucking before this age.
Which one is worse for your child's teeth: thumb sucking or pacifier sucking?
Neither one of these activities is better or worse for your baby's mouth. In fact, the part about this activity that has the greatest impact on your child's bite is the intensity with which your child does it. The more vigorously your child sucks on the pacifier or thumb, the worse the problem becomes.
Children who prefer to put the thumb or pacifier in their mouths without sucking hard at all will suffer fewer consequences than children who suck fervently. This means you should keep an eye on the way your child sucks on his or her thumb or pacifier. You'll want to work harder to stop your child's habit if you notice that he or she engages in this activity with enthusiasm.
What else can you do to ensure that your child's teeth grow in properly?
Take your child to a pediatric dentist, like the ones at Cobbe Dental & Orthodontics, for regular checkups. Your child's dentist will be able to watch for signs that your child's thumb or pacifier sucking habit is becoming a problem. He or she may also have advice for helping you break your child's habit, because pediatric dentists encounter this kind of problem on a regular basis.