Damage Caused by Thumbsucking and Pacifier Use

During the infancy stage, and even in the womb, it is natural for a baby to suck their thumb. It is a self-soothing technique and actually helps to teach about the environment around them. It can also be used as a coping mechanism when a child is feeling anxious or overwhelmed with a situation. When a child is in the infant and toddler stage, using a method to self-soothe such as a pacifier or thumbsucking is appreciated by parents because it helps with a sleepless night or a tantrum. However, at a certain age, pacifier use and thumbsucking become a problem in regards to teeth.