Thumb or finger sucking are habits that occurs in infants. Children usually give up thumb-sucking by the age of four. If the child continues past the age when their permanent teeth start to erupt, this may affect the position of their teeth and the shape of the roof of their mouth. Frequency, duration, intensity and position of the thumb in the child’s mouth can contribute to the severity of this condition. Your child’s speech may also be affected by this habit.
For many children it is impossible for them to stop this habit on their own. We recommend positive reinforcement while a child is young. If they become school-aged and the habit still persists, we will help to guide you in developing a family plan that is age appropriate for your child.
Please call us at 914-472-9090 or send us an email with any questions you may have.
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