The Facts on Thumb Sucking

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It’s important to address your child’s thumb sucking habit before it can cause damage to his smile. The sooner you can help him stop sucking his thumb, the better off his smile will be.

– Although it should only be used if other treatments have failed, your dentist can prescribe products that taste bad and are used to discourage children from sucking their thumbs.
– Thumb sucking can affect the growth of a baby’s teeth, and the growth of adult teeth that come in later.
– Children typically suck their thumbs because they are scared or insecure.
– If you want to discourage thumb sucking, do not rely on pacifiers, as they can cause the same type of damage to a child’s teeth that thumb sucking can.
– Positive reinforcement and gentle encouragement can help your child break the habit.
– If a child sucks his thumb, he runs the risk of introducing new bacteria to his system.

If you would like to speak with Dr. Victor J. Dongo and our team about thumb sucking, please schedule an appointment at Victor J. Dongo, DMD, PA in Hialeah, Florida, by calling (305) 512-3700. Come in today to learn all about the joys of a healthy smile!