If you are like most parents, you have probably seen your child suck his thumb. This is a natural coping response that makes young children feel safe and secure. Thumb sucking is often done in the infancy stage when the baby teeth are growing. This is less disturbing during childhood and in young children.
During this phase, baby teeth begin to fall out and are replaced with permanent teeth. Prolonged (very aggressive) thumb sucking can cause oral health problems in the years to come. To know more about problems with thumb sucking habit read this article carefully.
Dental problems
Given your frustration with your child, because you haven't stopped thumb-sucking, you may inadvertently claim that your child's teeth will be permanently damaged by the bad habit. "You will get your teeth dirty if you keep sucking your thumb," you may have told your child. You might even threaten your child by saying that they will be viewed as an adult lopsided.
Although crooked, deformed, and misaligned teeth and jaws can occur, most of these problems are resolved and treated later in adolescence so that the teeth are healthy and straight as the child gets older.
The most common dental problems that can cause excessive sucking on your child's thumb are:
Excessive bite
· Problems eating and pronouncing words
Uneven jaw
· Malformation of the ceiling
Premature tooth loss
TMJ disorders (TMJ)
Crooked teeth and misplaced jaw are just some of the potential dental health problems that can arise in infancy and early childhood. Excessive consumption of juices and formula can lead to tooth decay, which may explain the poor alignment and health of children's teeth.