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A S K Y O U R D E N T I S T A B O U T
THUMB, FINGER ANDPA C I F I E R H A B I T S
AMERICANACADEMYOFPEDIATRICDENTISTRY
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THUMB, FINGER
Why do children suck on ngers,paciers or other objects?
This type of sucking is completely normal for babiesand young
children. It provides security. For young
babies, it is a way to make contact with and learnabout the
world. In fact, babies begin to suck on theirngers or thumbs even
before they are born.
Are these habits bad for the teethand jaws?
Most children stop sucking on thumbs, paciers orother objects on
their own between 2 and 4 years ofage. However, some children
continue these habitsover long periods of time. In these children,
the up-per front teeth may tip toward the lip or not come
inproperly. Frequent or intense habits over a prolongedperiod of
time can affect the way the childs teeth
bite together, as well as the growth of the jaws andbones that
support the teeth.
Result of a prolonged sucking habit
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A N D P A C I F I E R
H A B I T S
When should I worry about a suckinghabit?
Your pediatric dentist will carefully watch the wayyour childs
teeth erupt and jaws develop, keeping the
sucking habit in mind at all times. Because persistenthabits may
cause long term problems, interventionmay be recommended for
children beyond 3 yearsof age.
What can I do to stop my childs habit?
Most children stop sucking habits on their own, butsome children
need the help of their parents andtheir pediatric dentist. When
your child is old enoughto understand the possible results of a
sucking habit,your pediatric dentist can encourage your child
tostop, as well as talk about what happens to the teethand jaws if
your child does not stop. This advice,coupled with support from
parents, helps mostchildren quit. If this approach does not work,
yourpediatric dentist may recommend ways to change thebehavior,
including a mouth appliance that interfereswith sucking habits.
Are paciers a safer habit for the teeththan thumbs or ngers?
Thumb, nger and pacier sucking affect the teethand jaws in
essentially the same way. However, apacier habit often is easier to
break.
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American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1700
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 337-2169
[email protected]
http://www.aapd.org
2011 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
All rights reserved.
The American Academy of PediatricDentistry (AAPD)
Founded in 1947, the AAPD is a not-for-protmembership
association representing the specialtyof pediatric dentistry. The
AAPDs 7,800 membersare primary oral health care providers who
offercomprehensive specialty treatment for millions ofinfants,
children, adolescents, and individuals withspecial health care
needs. The AAPD also represents
general dentists who treat a signicant number ofchildren in
their practices. As advocates for chil-drens oral health, the AAPD
develops and promotesevidence-based policies and guidelines,
fostersresearch, contributes to scholarly work concern-ing
pediatric oral health, and educates health careproviders,
policymakers, and the public on ways to
improve childrens oral health. For further informa-tion, please
visit the AAPD Web site at www.aapd.org.
