Parents may be concerned about the effects of pacifiers and thumb sucking, but both habits have their pros, cons, and ages when it’s best to deter the habit.
What are the pros and cons associated with pacifiers?
There’s a reason why pacifiers are often used by parents. Studies have shown that sucking on a pacifier at night can actually lower your baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. They also help to keep your baby calm when they get fussy.
Unfortunately, pacifiers aren’t perfect. They may reduce the risk of SIDS, but they can also increase the risk of ear infections and your child may get upset when they lose their pacifier in the dark at night.
Additionally, pacifiers can begin to negatively impact the way your child’s baby teeth come in, leading to an overbite or an underbite. In some cases, the suction from the pacifier can also impact the roof of your child’s mouth. If your child uses a pacifier, consider deterring from its use once your baby reaches the age of six months.
What are the pros and cons of thumb sucking?
Thumb sucking is a natural reflex that 95% of babies will act on. Thumb sucking introduces young children to weakened bacteria and allergens early in life to build their immune system.
But thumb sucking can quickly go from reflex to habit once your child reaches the age of four. Like pacifiers, thumb sucking can negatively impact the way your child’s teeth come in and how the roof of their mouth is shaped. It may be in your best interest to begin using a finger guard for thumbsuckers around the age of four or five.
Need an effective finger guard for thumbsuckers?
Teeth are the second biggest insecurity Americans have after weight and up to 80% of those who had their teeth straightened say they have higher confidence. An effective finger guard for thumbsuckers can keep your child from developing an overbite, underbite, or crossbite and help them grow up with a healthy smile.
The TGuard finger guard is a thumb sucking deterrent that stops your child from experiencing the sucking sensation that makes thumb sucking a habit. What’s more, it’s made with a soft plastic that won’t harm your child’s teeth.
Thumb sucking appliances like the TGuard Classic are 90% effective in breaking thumbsucking habits children just like yours. To learn more about how the TGuard finger guard can safely break your child’s thumb-sucking habit, contact T Guard today.
