Young children’s sucking needs are natural. Even in the womb, we see the fetus sucking its fingers or thumb. Sucking is not only an instinct to live, but also a sign of pleasure. Many child psychologists advise parents to allow their children to satisfy themselves orally. The problem is not in the act of sucking, but in the method of it.
Thumb sucking is generally thought to be harmful to children’s facial development; but controversial studies show that this is not a major problem until the age of 4. Long-term damage rarely occurs before the specified age. Sometimes it can create tongue thrusting patterns and slinging jaw movements. Thumb sucking can also be thought of as preventing the child from using their hands freely.
If this habit continues after the age of 4, the probability of permanent damage increases significantly. The greater the suction intensity, the greater the damage. The child may need braces and braces to improve the teeth, jaw and other facial areas (malalignment) that have deteriorated. You may want to give your baby a pacifier if they are afraid of thumb sucking due to the risk of contracting the disease. While pacifiers used to be viewed with reservations in the past, many today see the pacifier as a positive alternative. The pacifier type used does not cause any problems with orthodontic tongue thrusting and jaw disorders. To prevent accidents, the pacifier must be one piece and resistant to breakage. In this way, your baby can use his hands freely while safely performing oral satisfaction. Many children give up the habit of thumb sucking on their own. Experts think that children who are allowed to satisfy their sucking instincts at an early age will leave this habit on their own will in later years. However, some children may need a little help with this. People generally think that using a pacifier will be more effective in quitting this habit.
Parental control over the pacifier will be easier than controlling the child’s hands. Whatever the sucking activity is, act sensibly and apply gentle pressure to prevent this habit. If you are inconclusive, dental practices and tools are quick and effective in discouraging this habit. There is no doubt that child development should be at peace with its nature. If we look at the situation in terms of dental health; Breastfeeding or feeding a child with a suitable bottle contributes to the child’s facial and dental development. Applying appropriate feeding methods achieves oral satisfaction and reduces the need for thumb sucking. An orthodontic pacifier is a convenient tool to use if your child needs additional oral satisfaction.
