Request an Appointment
Existing Patient Login New Patient Registration
Michael Jory, DMD
(209) 478-1136
4549 Quail Lakes Drive
Stockton, CA 95207

Pediatric FAQs

Thumb Sucking

It is completely normal and healthy for your baby or young child to suck on a thumb, finger, or pacifier. Children usually give up sucking habits on their own by the time they are 4 to 5 years old.

If they stop the habit at this age, the shape of the jaw is usually not affected and the teeth grow in normally.

Children who continue sucking on a pacifier, finger, or thumb when their permanent adult teeth start to come in are more likely to have bite problems.

Sucking can cause:
- The top front teeth to slant out
- The bottom front teeth to tilt in
- The upper and lower jaws to be misaligned
- The roof of the mouth to be narrowed
- The need for braces

Treatment: Your doctor may decide to construct an appliance to discourage thumb sucking.

Close Window

Request An Appointment

What's your name?
Valid E-mail please!
Optional

(mm/dd format separated by commas please)

Request An Appointment

Please fill out this form.

We will contact you to confirm an appointment date and time as soon as possible.

You can also call us at (209) 478-1136 to request an appointment.