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Thumb and Finger Sucking
When
children suck their thumb or finger - should parents be concerned?
Sucking is one of a baby's natural reflexes and is a normal infant habit
that makes the child feel happy and secure. Sucking begins whilst
still in the mother's womb and thumb and finger sucking are very common
habits in growing children, however, whilst most children will eventually
stop the habit on their own, it can sometimes continue into adolescence.
There is potential to cause considerable
distortion of the teeth and also the bone supporting the teeth by continual
thumb and finger sucking. Top teeth can be pushed forward and often to
one side and the lower teeth can be held back.
A simple discussion at home may be all that
is required to break the habit and there are simple devices that can be used
to help your child.
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