Saw this news segment yesterday about how thumb sucking can actually mess up a kid's teeth alignment and bite, especially if they keep doing it past age 4 or 5. I mean, I knew it wasn't great, but didn't realize it could lead to braces or dental visits down the line. My niece is 6 and still does it sometimes when she's sleepy or nervous...now I'm wondering if it's something we should worry about or if it's just another thing parents get overly stressed about. Anyone dealt with this?
My cousin sucked her thumb till she was like 8 or 9, and honestly her teeth ended up fine. Not saying it's ideal, but sometimes I wonder if these warnings are a bit exaggerated. Maybe some kids are just more prone to dental issues than others? Still, probably worth keeping an eye on it...just wouldn't panic too much yet.
Yeah, your cousin got lucky! I mean, thumb sucking doesn't guarantee messed-up teeth, but it definitely ups the odds. My brother sucked his thumb till around 7 and ended up needing braces for years—our dentist joked he was funding her vacation home. 😂 Genetics probably play a role too, but I'd still gently discourage it if possible...better safe than sorry later on.
