Thumbsucking. It’s natural. Expected even. But can it hurt your baby’s teeth? That all depends.

Chances are your child will stop sucking his thumb on his own between two to four years of age. If not, there is some cause for concern. Once permanent teeth start coming in, persistent sucking can cause the front upper teeth to come in improperly, most often becoming pushed outwards, toward the lip. However, simply resting a thumb or finger in the mouth is less likely to cause damage than if your child aggressively sucks his thumb.

Only your dentist can tell you if your child’s thumbsucking presents a problem. If you’re concerned, go ahead and schedule a visit. Your dentist is dedicated to keeping your baby’s teeth in tip-top shape throughout his developmental years.

Thumbsucking. It’s natural. Expected even. But can it hurt your baby’s teeth? That all depends.

Chances are your child will stop sucking his thumb on his own between two to four years of age. If not, there is some cause for concern. Once permanent teeth start coming in, persistent sucking can cause the front upper teeth to come in improperly, most often becoming pushed outwards, toward the lip. However, simply resting a thumb or finger in the mouth is less likely to cause damage than if your child aggressively sucks his thumb.

Only your dentist can tell you if your child’s thumbsucking presents a problem. If you’re concerned, go ahead and schedule a visit. Your dentist is dedicated to keeping your baby’s teeth in tip-top shape throughout his developmental years.