By: J. Shahangian, DDS, MS- San Diego Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Pacifiers and Thumb and Finger Sucking
After the age of four, I recommend that you wean your child off of pacifiers, and thumb sucking. If not, your child could develop grave problems such as bite problems, and crooked and overcrowded teeth.
Teething occurs in your child between six months and three years. During this stage, I recommend that you use washcloths, a cool spoon, and teeth cleaning rings to alleviate soreness that your child may experience due to new teeth erupting. You can also use your fingers, and run your baby’s gums to alleviate pain and discomfort.
If your child continues to do thumb sucking, I may recommend a mouth appliance to prevent any complications to the arriving new permanent teeth.[1]
[1] http://www.sunnysidedentistryforchildren.com/library/2023/PacifiersandThumbandFingerSucking.html, accessed January 2, 2012
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