Grown-up teeth can bend out of place
Once the adult front teeth come in, hard sucking can push teeth out of line and change the shape of the roof of the mouth.
Pediatric dentist-backed guidance
Thumb sucking and pacifiers
Sucking is one of the first things babies learn to do, and it helps them feel safe and sleepy. Here is when it can change growing teeth and how to help your child leave the habit behind.
Sucking is normal. Babies and young children suck on thumbs, fingers, and pacifiers to feel calm and happy. There is no need to worry while your child is little.
When does sucking change teeth?
Sucking a thumb or a pacifier does not usually hurt baby teeth. The worry starts as the mouth grows.
How hard they suck matters
A thumb that rests gently in the mouth usually causes fewer problems than strong, active sucking. Strong sucking can change baby teeth too.
Pacifiers act much like thumbs
Pacifiers can change teeth in similar ways, but they are often an easier habit to break, because the pacifier can be taken away.
Most children stop between ages 2 and 4, or by the time the adult front teeth are ready to come in. If you notice your child’s teeth changing, ask your dentist.
About pacifiers
Pacifiers can be a big help in the first months of life. Pediatric dental groups say it is fine to give one if it fits your family.
- A pacifier can comfort babies and may help them settle for sleep.
- Aim to be done with the pacifier by age 3 (36 months).
- After the first birthday, pacifier use is linked with more ear infections.
- Never dip a pacifier in sugar or honey. Honey can make babies very sick.
Watch for changes. A pacifier habit that lasts past age 3 can start to change how the teeth line up. Ask your child’s dentist for ideas if the pacifier is hard to give up.
Gentle ways to help your child stop
Stay calm and keep it kind. Shaming or scolding usually makes the habit harder to break.
- Praise your child for not sucking.
- Comfort your child when they feel worried, since sucking often calms nerves.
- Let an older child help choose how to stop.
- Ask your child's dentist to explain why stopping helps their teeth.
- Try a gentle reminder, like a bandage on the thumb or a sock over the hand at night.
If the habit will not budge, your dentist has more tools. They can cheer your child on, suggest a special reminder, or talk about a small mouth appliance that makes sucking less fun.
Caring for little teeth?
See our daily care tips for every age, from first tooth to grown-up smile.
Pediatric dentist-backed sources
This page follows advice from the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. It is for learning, not for finding or treating a health problem. Your child’s dentist knows your child best.