WHAT’S A PARENT TO DO?

Every parent  enjoys seeing their little one sucking his or her thumb when they are a baby. It helps him or her to sleep better and usually keeps them happy.  For some kids, sucking their thumb is a phase; for others it lasts longer. As your child grows and matures, this continuous pressure on the teeth can cause your child to develop dental problems. The upper teeth are usually being moved forward and the lower teeth are being pushed in. This is what gives them that “bucky” appearance.  Also, the upper arch (upper teeth and palate) can become narrow from the cheeks pushing inward with the sucking motion.  Speech and swallowing patterns can also be affected. Read the rest of this entry »