The effect of thumb sucking and a pacifier on your child’s teeth

Thumb-sucking and using a pacifier will not run your child’s teeth until she’s uses it into her preschool years. It is okay and normal for  a child to use a pacifier or suck  her thumb for soothing during the years when she still has her baby teeth.

However it is a good idea to discourage this habit before the child starts getting her permanent teeth. Continued sucking can result in the upper teeth not developing properly and tipping outwards. The intensity of the sucking determines whether or not a problem will arise.It is recommended that parents help children put a stop to this habit by age 4. The permanent teeth usually come in around age 6.

If your having problems letting your child quit this habit, talk to your dentist. He will monitor your child’s jaw  and teeth to make sure they are developing well.

You also have to know that it is bad to dip a pacifier into something sweet. This is not good for the child’s teeth at any age.