
9. Sucking Your Thumb Destroys Your Teeth
Does your child suck their thumb? You may not be too concerned unless other people are around who may look at you or your child disapprovingly. The problem with thumb-sucking is that it actually causes teeth to become misaligned. Thumb-sucking may be cute when your child is an infant or toddler. However, according to many dentists, the habit begins to be problematic for oral health by the age of four. Prolonged thumb-sucking, or excessive thumb-sucking for children under four, can lead to the condition known as an open bite. An open bite is when the top front teeth do not meet the corresponding bottom front teeth, but the molars do, and they grind against each other. The child’s palate can actually become narrower, leading to problems when the adult teeth begin to come in. These conditions can lead to speech problems, swallowing difficulties, and even sleep apnea. If your child is sucking their thumb, let the doctor know. The habit can affect your child’s quality of life.