Are you aware that thumb sucking is bad for your teeth and gums? Saving your child’s smile from the hazard of thumb sucking may seem like a daunting task, but it is important. Your child will not easily give up thumb sucking, but with patience and effort, you can help them.
Most children use thumb sucking as an esteem booster, so always do your part in building their confidence. If your child has begun to suck their thumb, offer them mounds of praise whenever they stop. You can also try talking with your child about the dangers of sucking their thumb.
If a child is hesitant to quit sucking their thumb and continues to remain stubborn by the time they are 4 years old, their doctor can coat their thumbs in a foul-tasting substance. This reduces their craving to suck their thumbs and helps propel them forward in the quest for a better smile. Swapping them onto pacifiers may be an easier habit to break, but pacifiers can lead to the same type of oral health issues in a child that thumb sucking can.
If you would like to schedule a thumb sucking treatment with Dr. Michael O'Neill and the rest of our team at Wildwood Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, simply call our dentist office at (419) 536-9196 for an appointment in Toledo, Ohio. Come in today to learn all about the joys of a healthy smile.