As a parent, you’ll do anything to keep your child happy and comfortable. For some children, this means relying on pacifiers or thumb-sucking to soothe themselves. While it’s a common practice, many parents worry about the impacts these habits may have on their child’s dental health. This blog will explore if pacifier use or thumb-sucking can cause orthodontic problems in a child’s teeth. We’ll take an in-depth look at the issue to set your mind at ease.
An orthodontic problem is any irregularity in the teeth or jaws that can disrupt oral function. These problems may include crowded, crooked, or rotated teeth, overbites, underbites, open bites, and cross bites. Orthodontic problems can be caused by multiple factors, including genetics, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, grinding teeth, and thumb-sucking or pacifier use.
Pacifier use and thumb-sucking are most likely to alter a child’s dental alignment when they are prolonged through the development stage of the teeth. Frequent and prolonged sucking, especially after the eruption of teeth, can cause teeth to be pushed forward and create gaps between them, leading to eventual orthodontic issues. The intensity, frequency, and duration of pacifier use or thumb-sucking can also have an impact on the extent of orthodontic problems.
However, the risks of orthodontic problems due to pacifier use or thumb-sucking differ among children. Generally, children who continue to suck their finger at the age of five or older are at higher risk of developing orthodontic problems, while children who don’t suck their thumb, fingers or use pacifiers after three years of age are less likely to experience significant orthodontic challenges.
Parents who are concerned about their child’s oral development should consult with a pediatric dentist or orthodontist. They will assess the child’s dental alignment and advise on how to address any potential issues. There are also different strategies to help wean a child off sucking a pacifier, such as praise, positive reinforcement, and age-appropriate distractions.
In conclusion, while pacifier use and thumb-sucking can cause orthodontic problems in a child’s teeth, this is not always the case. If your child is still using a pacifier or sucking their thumb after they reach age three, we recommend you limit their use. Finally, it’s important to keep up with regular dental check-ups to monitor and prevent any orthodontic issues early on and allow for early intervention. With proper care, you can help ensure your child’s teeth and dental health develop optimally.
Saskatoon – Stephenson Orthodontics
Come see us for your FREE consultation (no referral necessary!). Book below, @ www.drtooth.ca or call 306-653-3955!
Stephenson Orthodontics
301 The Tower at Midtown
201 1st Ave South
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7K 1J5
