Thumb, Fingers and Pacifier Habits

Dr. Sarah and Dr. Kristen say that sucking on fingers, thumbs and pacifiers is normal for babies and young children. But the sooner the child stops the less chances of damage to the developing jaws and teeth.

If a child stops sucking on his or her thumbs, pacifiers or fingers before the age of two, usually there is no harm to the teeth or jaws. However, some children repeatedly suck on a finger, pacifier or other object over long periods of time. In these circumstances, the upper front teeth may tip toward the lip or the perm teeth not come in properly aligned.

Dr. Sarah or Dr. Kristen will carefully watch the way your child’s teeth come in and how the jaws develop, keeping the sucking habit in mind at all times.

If you are concerned about your child’s sucking habits, Dr. Sarah and Dr. Kristen explain that most children stop the sucking habits on their own, but some children need the help of their parents and their pediatric dentist. If the child finds the habit too hard to break on his or her own, a mouth appliance that blocks the sucking habit may be recommended.

Remember that thumb, finger and pacifier sucking all affect the teeth essentially the same way. However, a pacifier habit is most often the easier habit to break!