{"id":235,"date":"2020-07-13T21:04:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-13T21:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ismiledentalarts.com\/blog\/?p=235"},"modified":"2025-07-02T20:39:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T20:39:15","slug":"thumb-sucking-and-your-childs-oral-health-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ismiledentalarts.com\/blog\/thumb-sucking-and-your-childs-oral-health-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Thumb Sucking and Your Child\u2019s Oral Health: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In the first few years of your child\u2019s life, there\u2019s hardly ever a dull moment. It feels like you\u2019re constantly trying to protect them from the various dangers the universe throws at them while simultaneously giving them the space they need to learn and grow. All these stresses can make parents start worrying about the little things, like thumb sucking. In general, thumb sucking is a normal habit for young kids looing for entertainment or comfort. But by what age should they stop? How does this habit affect your little one\u2019s oral health<\/a>? Here\u2019s what a children\u2019s dentist wants you to know about thumb sucking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s Perfectly Natural<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most important thing you should know about thumb sucking is that it\u2019s completely normal. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) has said that thumb sucking is a \u201cnatural reflex\u201d that helps children feel happier and more secure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Should It Stop?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s a natural habit, experts agree that it shouldn\u2019t persist indefinitely. Most children naturally stop sucking their thumbs, fingers, and pacifiers between the ages of two and four. The ADA recommends that kids above age four be discouraged from thumb sucking to avoid a negative impact on their oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does It Affect Their Teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Problems can arise if a child still sucks their thumb when their permanent teeth begin erupting around age six. Thumb sucking can physically pull the front teeth outward, preventing the upper and lower teeth from coming together correctly. This can result in issues like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n