908-450-7788Thumb and finger sucking can be incredibly damaging to your child’s teeth and smile. Our experienced dentists and team offer treatments and strategies to help your child break these negative oral habits so they can enjoy a healthier mouth and smile as they grow. Call Precision Digital Dentistry at 908-450-7788 to set up an appointment with Dr. Joyce Ma and learn more about habit correction treatments in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
Thumb and finger sucking is normal in children under the age of 4, and most children will stop sucking their fingers on their own between 2 and 4 years of age. However, finger sucking can cause your child to develop bad bites, such as open bites and crossbites, among other problems. Similar damage can be caused by tongue thrusting, as the constant pressure of the tongue against the teeth will force your child’s teeth and dental arches out of alignment.
Our dentists may recommend a number of options to help break these oral habits. Among the most common treatments offered are oral appliances, which help to discourage sucking habits or retrain the muscles of the tongue so that it no longer thrusts forward. In addition to oral appliances, our dentists may also recommend a few strategies to try at home, such as:
- Covering your child’s hands with a glove or sock
- Creating diversions at times when your child sucks their fingers
- Removing sources of anxiety that may cause your child to suck their fingers
If you have any questions or would like to set up an appointment with our dentists, please contact our team today.