Linda A. Steele, DDS Blog

Teething is a milestone every baby reaches, often accompanied by fussiness, drooling, and the urge to chew on anything within reach. Many parents turn to teething rings to help soothe their little ones during this uncomfortable stage, but you may wonder: are teething rings safe?

Understanding how to use these toys properly can help keep your baby comfortable while ensuring their safety and oral health.

Thumb sucking is a natural and soothing reflex for many infants and toddlers. In fact, it often helps little ones feel secure and fall asleep more easily. But while the habit is completely normal in the early stages of life, prolonged thumb sucking can have lasting consequences on a child’s dental development.

If your child is still sucking their thumb beyond the toddler years, it may be time to start exploring strategies to gently break the habit.

Let’s take a closer look at how thumb sucking affects dental health—and what you can do to help your child transition away from it.

When Is Thumb Sucking a Concern?

Most children stop sucking their thumb on their own between ages 2 and 4. But if the habit continues past age 5—when permanent teeth may begin to emerge—it can lead to serious oral health problems, especially if the sucking is frequent or forceful.

Dental Issues Caused by Prolonged Thumb Sucking

1. Misaligned Teeth

Persistent thumb sucking can push teeth out of alignment, especially the front teeth. This may result in an open bite or overbite, where the upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly.

2. Changes in Jaw Development

The constant pressure of a thumb can alter the shape and growth of the jaw. This may lead to difficulties with chewing, speech, and bite function.

3. Roof of the Mouth (Palate) Changes

Thumb sucking can also affect the roof of the mouth, causing it to become higher or more narrow, which may require orthodontic intervention later.

4. Speech Problems

Because thumb sucking affects how the teeth and jaw align, it can contribute to speech delays or issues with articulation, such as lisping.

Tips to Help Your Child Stop Thumb Sucking

The good news is that there are gentle, supportive ways to encourage your child to stop thumb sucking—without stress or shame.

• Offer praise and positive reinforcement. Celebrate small successes when your child avoids thumb sucking, especially during challenging moments like bedtime.
• Identify triggers. Children often suck their thumbs for comfort. Help them find alternatives like a favorite stuffed toy, blanket, or soothing activity.
• Use reminders. Try using a bandage or sock on the thumb at night to help break the habit gently.
• Talk to your dentist. A pediatric dentist can recommend age-appropriate solutions and even fit your child with a special oral appliance if needed.

About the Practice

At Linda A Steele, DDS, families in Coppell, TX, receive expert, compassionate care tailored to every stage of childhood. Dr. Steele and her team focus on preventive dentistry and early intervention, helping children build healthy habits for life.

If you’re concerned about thumb sucking or your child’s dental development, schedule a visit to get personalized guidance in a fun, kid-friendly environment.

Call us at (972) 315-3355.

“Baby bottle tooth decay” probably sounds like a terrifying oral disease, but actually, it’s fairly common. Many parents put their babies to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, not realizing that this can contribute to “tooth decay” – otherwise known as cavities. Keep reading to learn more about this phenomenon and what you can do to prevent it from affecting your child’s dental health.

As your child grows, they’ll begin experiencing new things – and one significant development you’ll track during their first few months is their dietary habits. However, if they’re suffering from a tongue or lip tie, did you know that it might prevent them from easily eating solid foods when the time is right? Continue reading to learn more about tongue and lip ties and why seeking treatment for your child is the best way to ensure that when they move on to eating solid foods, they don’t experience any problems!

Are you the parent or guardian of a toddler who has finally reached the terrible twos? This developmental phase in your child’s life is often marked by defiant behavior, tantrums, and plenty of vexation for them and for you.

This transitional period is when your kid learns to walk and talk but don’t yet have the emotional skills or verbal abilities to communicate their needs or frustrations. If they’re going through a change, like growing new teeth, they can become extra irate. Continue reading to learn more about two-year molars and what to expect!

During the winter months, people tend to spend more time indoors so they can keep warm and avoid the rain or snow outside. Unfortunately, indoor environments can expose people to many more germs and much more allergenic debris than the outdoors, which can make them more likely to develop colds and other respiratory infections. Here’s a brief guide to how you can keep your child’s dental health on track during cold and flu season.

These days, Thanksgiving seems to heavily revolve around two things: food and thankfulness. So as you gather around the table this year to reflect on what you’re grateful for, it’s a perfect time to appreciate the people who help us smile—literally! Your child’s pediatric dentist plays a vital role in keeping your child’s teeth healthy and bright, directly impacting their health and boosting their confidence. Here are some reasons why your child’s dentist deserves a big “thank you” this holiday season!

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes. Kids learn early on about many of their body parts, including their mouth and teeth. Little ones can identify where teeth are, but even older kids may not fully appreciate these amazing, tiny body parts and may take them for granted. Although there are plenty of things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, take a moment with your child to acknowledge just how awesome it is to have healthy teeth and learn how to better take care of them.

Here are some things you can do during this holiday, even if you’re with a group of friends and family.

Keeping your child away from Halloween candy can be like trying to keep a moth away from a flame. This makes protecting their teeth from cavities during spooky season hard work, so you could use every advantage you can get. In times like these, it’s important to work smarter.

Not all candies are created equal, you see. With a little strategy, you can choose the best Halloween candy for your kids’ teeth – and leave the tougher customers to be forgotten about when the next holiday season rolls around. Keep reading to learn what to watch out for!

“The doorknob method” is so culturally prominent that it’s practically a tooth-pulling folktale. The idea is simple enough: you tie one end of a string to your child’s loose baby tooth, tie the other end to a doorknob, and wham! shut the door, effectively sending the tooth flying. To kids this is a somewhat whimsical suggestion that could either be interpreted as a joke or a threat. To a parent, it can be downright terrifying!

If you’re looking for a safer, more comfortable way of removing your child’s bothersome wiggler, keep reading.