Any parent may be concerned about their kid’s actions; like finger sucking and pacifier use as it is believed that they can affect proper growth of teeth and affect general health.
To start talking about this subject, it is essential to state the fact that it is totally normal for a kid to start to need pacifiers and to fingers since it is found to be relaxing for kids and thus, induces sleep.
However, prolonged periods of doing so might affect a kid’s growth and health and alignment of teeth.
How do thumb-sucking and pacifier use affect children?
Long-term pacifier use can bring issues very similar to those associated with thumb sucking.
When permanent teeth begin to develop, children who continue to suck their thumbs or pacifiers might experience issues with the development of their jaw, roof of the mouth, and bite.
Long-term thumb sucking can cause growing teeth and bone to shift out of alignment.The top teeth may be pushed out while the lower teeth are pushed inside during prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking.
Moreover, thumb sucking might prevent teeth from fully developing.
What are the long-term consequences of thumb-sucking and pacifier use?
Prolonged thumb-sucking and pacifier use may result in an open bite (where teeth don’t touch in a closed mouth) and projection of the teeth.
It can also directly affect the jaw’s capacity to be in the right posture.
In addition, it causes difficulties in eating and biting, and some cosmetical problems.
In extreme circumstances, the kid may develop orofacial myological dysfunction (OMD), in which the normal posture of the jaw, tongue, or lip is disrupted, leading to difficulties speaking or eating at the end.
Another effect of thumb sucking, and pacifier use is the effect on speech on a long-term period; as the disarrangement of jaw and teeth, as well as the tendency of these kids to stick out their tongues forward more than normal while speaking, might cause speech problems.
How to break the habit?
After a kid reaches a particular age, some kids stop sucking their thumb or using a pacifier by themselves, and it is enough for others to have some help from their parents at home.
Thumb sucking is frequently a symptom of anxiousness in some older kids.
Breaking the habit may require focusing on the underlying cause of it and trying to solve it.
There are additional choices, here are some:
1- Encourage your child to stop sucking his thumb, or need his pacifier, and praise him for doing so.
2- You can place a bandage on your child’s thumb at night.
3- You can give your child something to keep his hands busy most of the time.
4- Consult your kid’s dentist, to give the best advice depending on his case.
