56. Is thumb sucking bad for teeth?

Thumb sucking is very common in young children and is usually not a problem if it stops by around age 2-3.
However, if thumb sucking continues after the permanent teeth start coming in, it can:

-Push the front teeth out of alignment
-Affect the bite and jaw development
-Cause speech issues in some cases

Most kids naturally stop on their own, but if your child continues past age 5 or shows signs of dental changes, we can provide gentle guidance and strategies to help break the habit.