{"id":1266,"date":"2026-08-17T17:21:05","date_gmt":"2026-08-17T11:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/?p=1266"},"modified":"2026-08-17T17:21:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-17T11:51:05","slug":"thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: What Parents Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Thumb sucking can be a familiar sight for parents\u2014a sleepy toddler with a thumb in the mouth, a child using it to settle down after crying, or a preschooler automatically sucking a finger while watching television. During infancy and early childhood, this behaviour is common and usually does not require parents to panic. The concern begins when strong or frequent thumb sucking continues as the teeth and jaws develop<\/strong>. Over time, persistent pressure can influence how the front teeth meet and, in some children, contribute to bite or jaw-development problems. The effect is not the same for every child; duration, frequency and intensity all matter. Understanding when the habit is normal, when it deserves attention and how to help a child stop gently can prevent unnecessary stress and support healthy dental development.<\/p>\n

Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Topic<\/th>\nWhat Parents Should Know<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Thumb sucking in babies<\/td>\nCommon and usually a normal self-soothing behaviour<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Main period of concern<\/td>\nPersistent habit beyond roughly 3 years deserves attention<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Teeth commonly affected<\/td>\nUpper and lower front teeth<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Possible dental changes<\/td>\nOpen bite, protruding upper teeth and bite changes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Severity<\/td>\nDepends on duration, frequency and intensity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Best approach<\/td>\nPositive encouragement rather than punishment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dental assessment<\/td>\nHelpful if the habit persists or bite changes appear<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Treatment<\/td>\nOften unnecessary if the habit stops early; persistent changes may need dental or orthodontic care<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Why Do Children Suck Their Thumbs?<\/h2>\n

Babies naturally have a sucking reflex because it is essential for feeding. Sucking can also provide comfort and help some children relax or fall asleep.<\/p>\n

A child may suck their thumb more frequently when they are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Tired or sleepy<\/li>\n
  • Bored<\/li>\n
  • Anxious or uncomfortable<\/li>\n
  • Trying to calm themselves<\/li>\n
  • Adjusting to a new environment<\/li>\n
  • Looking for comfort at bedtime<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    For many children, the habit gradually disappears without intervention. Therefore, aggressive attempts to stop thumb sucking in a very young child are usually unnecessary.<\/p>\n

    When Does Thumb Sucking Start Affect Teeth?<\/h2>\n

    The occasional thumb sucking of a baby is very different from a strong habit that continues for several hours every day as a child grows.<\/p>\n

    The effect on dental development depends mainly on three factors:<\/p>\n

    Duration:<\/strong> How many months or years the habit continues.<\/p>\n

    Frequency:<\/strong> How often the child sucks their thumb during the day or night.<\/p>\n

    Intensity:<\/strong> How strongly the thumb is sucked and how much pressure is placed on the teeth and palate.<\/p>\n

    Current paediatric dental guidance encourages children to discontinue prolonged non-nutritive sucking habits by around 36 months of age<\/strong>. A habit continuing beyond this stage should be discussed with a dentist, particularly if it is frequent or forceful.<\/p>\n

    How Can Thumb Sucking Change Teeth?<\/h2>\n

    Persistent thumb sucking can place repeated pressure on developing teeth and surrounding structures. Several changes may occur.<\/p>\n

    1. Front Teeth May Not Meet Properly<\/h3>\n

    One of the better-known changes is an anterior open bite<\/strong>. This means the upper and lower front teeth do not touch properly when the child closes their mouth.<\/p>\n

    A visible space may remain between the front teeth.<\/p>\n

    2. Upper Front Teeth Can Move Forward<\/h3>\n

    Continued pressure from the thumb can encourage the upper front teeth to tilt or protrude forward.<\/p>\n

    This can affect the child’s bite and appearance and may make prominent front teeth more vulnerable to injury.<\/p>\n

    3. Lower Front Teeth May Move<\/h3>\n

    Depending on how the child positions the thumb, pressure can also influence the lower front teeth, sometimes pushing them backwards.<\/p>\n

    4. The Bite Can Become Narrower or Uneven<\/h3>\n

    Long-lasting sucking habits can affect the way the upper and lower teeth fit together. Some children may develop a crossbite or narrowing of the upper dental arch.<\/p>\n

    Not every child who sucks their thumb develops these problems. The risk generally increases when the habit is persistent, frequent and forceful.<\/p>\n

    Will Teeth Correct Themselves After Thumb Sucking Stops?<\/h2>\n

    This is one of the most important questions for parents.<\/p>\n

    If a child stops the habit early, particularly before permanent front teeth erupt, some dental changes may improve naturally as the mouth continues developing.<\/p>\n

    However, spontaneous correction is not guaranteed. Changes that are more severe or persist after permanent teeth begin appearing may require assessment and possibly orthodontic treatment.<\/p>\n

    This is why stopping the habit at an appropriate age is preferable to waiting until obvious dental problems become established.<\/p>\n

    How Parents Can Help a Child Stop Thumb Sucking<\/h2>\n

    Turning thumb sucking into a daily battle can sometimes make the situation harder. Children often use the habit for emotional comfort, so punishment, teasing or embarrassment is unlikely to be helpful.<\/p>\n

    A calmer approach usually works better.<\/p>\n

    Identify the Trigger<\/h3>\n

    Observe when your child sucks their thumb most frequently.<\/p>\n

    Is it during bedtime? While watching television? When tired? During stressful situations?<\/p>\n

    Once you identify the trigger, you can offer an alternative activity or source of comfort.<\/p>\n

    Use Positive Reinforcement<\/h3>\n

    Praise your child when they manage periods without thumb sucking.<\/p>\n

    For younger children, a simple reward chart can work well. For example, they can receive a star for getting through story time or another agreed period without putting their thumb in their mouth.<\/p>\n

    Keep goals achievable instead of expecting the habit to disappear overnight.<\/p>\n

    Involve the Child in the Decision<\/h3>\n

    Older preschool children are more likely to cooperate when they understand why stopping matters.<\/p>\n

    Instead of saying, “Your teeth will become bad,” explain simply that their grown-up teeth need enough room to develop properly.<\/p>\n

    Create a Different Bedtime Routine<\/h3>\n

    Night-time sucking can be particularly difficult because children may do it unconsciously.<\/p>\n

    Try replacing the comfort associated with thumb sucking with a predictable routine involving a bath, story, favourite soft toy or quiet conversation before sleep.<\/p>\n

    What Parents Should Avoid<\/h2>\n

    Avoid turning the habit into something shameful.<\/p>\n

    Parents should generally avoid:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Shouting at the child<\/li>\n
    • Teasing or embarrassing them<\/li>\n
    • Comparing them negatively with siblings<\/li>\n
    • Using frightening stories about their teeth<\/li>\n
    • Applying unpleasant substances to the thumb without professional advice<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Stress can actually make a comfort-seeking habit harder to stop.<\/p>\n

      When Should You Visit a Dentist?<\/h2>\n

      Parents do not have to wait until permanent teeth are visibly crooked.<\/p>\n

      Arrange a dental assessment if:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Thumb sucking continues beyond about age three.<\/li>\n
      • The habit is frequent or forceful.<\/li>\n
      • Upper front teeth appear to be moving forward.<\/li>\n
      • Front teeth no longer meet when the mouth closes.<\/li>\n
      • You notice an unusual bite or jaw relationship.<\/li>\n
      • Your child is struggling to stop despite repeated positive efforts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Regular dental visits from early childhood also allow the dentist to monitor jaw and tooth development over time.<\/p>\n

        Does a Child Need an Appliance to Stop Thumb Sucking?<\/h2>\n

        Usually, behavioural approaches are tried first.<\/p>\n

        If a persistent habit is causing dental changes and the child cannot stop despite appropriate support, a paediatric dentist or orthodontist may discuss additional strategies. In selected cases, an oral appliance may be considered.<\/p>\n

        Such appliances should not be treated as a DIY solution. The decision depends on the child’s age, dental development, motivation, bite and severity of the habit.<\/p>\n

        Thumb Sucking vs Pacifier: Is One Better?<\/h2>\n

        Both thumb sucking and pacifier use are forms of non-nutritive sucking and can influence dental development when continued for too long.<\/p>\n

        A practical difference is that parents can control and eventually remove a pacifier, while a child’s thumb is always available. Persistent finger or thumb habits may therefore be more difficult to stop.<\/p>\n

        Regardless of the habit, how long and how intensely it continues<\/strong> is particularly important when assessing dental risk.<\/p>\n

        Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

        1. At what age should parents worry about thumb sucking?<\/h3>\n

        Thumb sucking is common in babies and toddlers. If the habit continues beyond approximately 3 years of age<\/strong>, especially if it is frequent or forceful, it is sensible to discuss it with a dentist.<\/p>\n

        2. Can thumb sucking cause permanent crooked teeth?<\/h3>\n

        Persistent thumb sucking can contribute to changes such as protruding front teeth and an open bite. If the habit stops early, some changes may improve naturally. Long-standing changes involving permanent teeth may require orthodontic treatment.<\/p>\n

        3. Should I physically stop my toddler from sucking their thumb?<\/h3>\n

        Constantly pulling the thumb away, scolding or punishing the child is generally not a good long-term strategy. Identify when the habit occurs and use encouragement, achievable goals and alternative comfort methods instead.<\/p>\n

        4. When should an orthodontist check my child’s teeth?<\/h3>\n

        A dentist can monitor bite development from early childhood and refer your child when necessary. If you already notice protruding teeth, an open bite, crossbite or another significant change, don’t wait for the child to become a teenager before seeking professional advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Thumb sucking can be a familiar sight for parents\u2014a sleepy toddler with a thumb in the mouth, a child using it to settle down after crying, or a preschooler automatically sucking a finger while watching television. During infancy and early childhood, this behaviour is common and usually does not require parents to panic. The concern […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health"],"yoast_head":"\nThumb Sucking and Teeth Development: Effects, Age & Tips for Parents<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how thumb sucking affects teeth development in children, when parents should worry, possible bite problems, and practical ways to help kids stop the habit.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: Effects, Age & Tips for Parents\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how thumb sucking affects teeth development in children, when parents should worry, possible bite problems, and practical ways to help kids stop the habit.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Articles\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-17T11:51:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Santosh\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Santosh\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Santosh\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9081589da4c26889100cf26d1b21664b\"},\"headline\":\"Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: What Parents Should Know\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-17T11:51:05+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1417,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Health\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\\\/\",\"name\":\"Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: Effects, Age & Tips for Parents\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-17T11:51:05+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn how thumb sucking affects teeth development in children, when parents should worry, possible bite problems, and practical ways to help kids stop the habit.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: What Parents Should Know\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/\",\"name\":\"Articles\",\"description\":\"My WordPress Blog\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Articles\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/07\\\/logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/07\\\/logo.png\",\"width\":340,\"height\":119,\"caption\":\"Articles\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9081589da4c26889100cf26d1b21664b\",\"name\":\"Santosh\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d891b528d6739a2d57ce215acc1f5c427fb769b5515bfcc65b4cf85775d163c2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d891b528d6739a2d57ce215acc1f5c427fb769b5515bfcc65b4cf85775d163c2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d891b528d6739a2d57ce215acc1f5c427fb769b5515bfcc65b4cf85775d163c2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Santosh\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/dentistinsider.in\\\/articles\\\/author\\\/dentist_articles\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: Effects, Age & Tips for Parents","description":"Learn how thumb sucking affects teeth development in children, when parents should worry, possible bite problems, and practical ways to help kids stop the habit.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: Effects, Age & Tips for Parents","og_description":"Learn how thumb sucking affects teeth development in children, when parents should worry, possible bite problems, and practical ways to help kids stop the habit.","og_url":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/","og_site_name":"Articles","article_published_time":"2026-08-17T11:51:05+00:00","author":"Santosh","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Santosh","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/"},"author":{"name":"Santosh","@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/9081589da4c26889100cf26d1b21664b"},"headline":"Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: What Parents Should Know","datePublished":"2026-08-17T11:51:05+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/"},"wordCount":1417,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/#organization"},"articleSection":["Health"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/","url":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/","name":"Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: Effects, Age & Tips for Parents","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-08-17T11:51:05+00:00","description":"Learn how thumb sucking affects teeth development in children, when parents should worry, possible bite problems, and practical ways to help kids stop the habit.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/thumb-sucking-and-teeth-development\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Thumb Sucking and Teeth Development: What Parents Should Know"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/","name":"Articles","description":"My WordPress Blog","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/#organization","name":"Articles","url":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/logo.png","width":340,"height":119,"caption":"Articles"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/9081589da4c26889100cf26d1b21664b","name":"Santosh","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d891b528d6739a2d57ce215acc1f5c427fb769b5515bfcc65b4cf85775d163c2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d891b528d6739a2d57ce215acc1f5c427fb769b5515bfcc65b4cf85775d163c2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d891b528d6739a2d57ce215acc1f5c427fb769b5515bfcc65b4cf85775d163c2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Santosh"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles"],"url":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/author\/dentist_articles\/"}]}},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Santosh","author_link":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/author\/dentist_articles\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Thumb sucking can be a familiar sight for parents\u2014a sleepy toddler with a thumb in the mouth, a child using it to settle down after crying, or a preschooler automatically sucking a finger while watching television. During infancy and early childhood, this behaviour is common and usually does not require parents to panic. The concern…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1266"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1267,"href":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1266\/revisions\/1267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dentistinsider.in\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}