Children
Is thumb-sucking bad for my child's teeth?
It's a natural comfort, and most children give it up on their own between two and four. It only starts to matter once the permanent front teeth arrive, as forceful sucking then can nudge teeth out of line.
Why it's usually nothing to worry about
Thumb-sucking, and its cousin the dummy, is one of the most natural little comforts there is. Babies and toddlers do it to soothe themselves, and the great majority quietly wave it goodbye all on their own somewhere between the ages of two and four. In those early years, there's really no need to make a battle of it.
The reason it's usually harmless early on is that baby teeth are forgiving. The picture only changes when the permanent front teeth start arriving, roughly from age five or six — that's when the habit becomes worth keeping an eye on.
When to gently help it stop
If keen, forceful sucking is still going strong as the adult front teeth come through, it can begin to nudge the teeth and even the shape of the jaw out of line, sometimes leaving a gap the front teeth don't close. That's the point at which it's worth stepping in — not with pressure, which tends to backfire, but with encouragement.
If the habit is lingering into that stage, come and see us. We've plenty of kind, no-drama tricks to help your child let it go, and catching it while the teeth are still settling means far less to put right later.
Common questions
At what age should thumb-sucking stop?
Most children stop by themselves between two and four. It only becomes a concern if it's still forceful once the permanent front teeth arrive around five or six.
Can thumb-sucking really move my child's teeth?
It can, but mainly if it's vigorous and continues as the adult front teeth come through — it may push them out of line. Before then, it rarely causes lasting change.