Q. Is my child's thumb sucking a problem?

Answer:

For babies and young children sucking is a natural reflex when teeth begin to develop both thumb sucking and using a pacifier can lead to dental problems for these children. Vigorous thumb sucking can cause a child's baby teeth to shift. The proper growth of the mouth and alignment of a child's permanent teeth may be affected if thumb sucking persists. Children should have stopped thumb sucking and using pacifiers when the permanent front teeth are ready to come in. Most children will naturally stop. If a child persists, a dentist, a pediatric dentist or an orthodontist may use different dental procedures to stop thumb sucking.

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