At Modern Dental Studio of East Brunswick, New Jersey, we often see young children come in with misaligned teeth due to prolonged pacifier or thumb-sucking habits. As cute as it may seem, this can have negative long-term effects on their oral health. Dr. Shetty encourages parents to have their children seen early and often and take an anti-thumb sucking and pacifier-use approach to help their children develop a healthy smile. Several issues can arise in children who continue thumb-sucking into their later toddler years.
The risks of pacifier use and thumb sucking on oral health
Prolonged pacifier use or thumb sucking can cause the front teeth to tip outward and the back teeth to tip inward, leading to an improper bite. It can also affect the proper growth of the mouth and the shape of the roof of the mouth.
What should I do if my child (or children) is still relying on a pacifier or sucking their thumb?
If your child is still utilizing a pacifier past age three or continues to suck their thumb past age five, we recommend talking to their pediatrician about breaking these habits. It is never too early or too late to start taking steps towards a healthy smile for life, including knowing when to stop thumb-sucking and pacifier use. For some parents, avoiding the use of a pacifier since birth and allowing the baby to self-soothe without it is one way to reduce the risk of damage to the smile.
How do I discover more about caring for my young child’s smile?
If you are located in the East Brunswick, New Jersey area and want to talk to the team at Modern Dental Studio to discuss your child’s oral health needs, now is a great time to connect with Dr. Shetty at (732) 432-0123.
Our professional team is readily available at our office at 577 Cranbury Road, Suite C-1, and we are open to helping you and your family with your smiles! We service patients of all ages in and around our community, ensuring healthy smiles for the entire household!
