nasty habit

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 68, 28 April 1944, Page 2

nasty habit

DANGERS OF THUMB SUCKING

FRONT TEETH PUSHED OUT

Docs you - " baby suck its thumb? Your child may look appealing when asleep with its thumb in its mouth, but in yeans to come appeal will be defiirto'y lacking if the thumb is allowed to remain there. The habit of thumb-sucking is unfortunately allow e J to continue witn .some children till they are five vea-s old or more, says a statement by the Thames Dental Cl.nic. Upper front teeth ni-iy be pushed forward by pressure of the tongue on the. thumb. The shape of the upper arch suffers too, aftei a prolonged period. Permanent front teeth are caused to erupt out of position. Children like to suck their thumbs because they get a sense of comfort. But the harm done, outweighs the comfort gainel. Mothers often say thumb-sucking has been encouraged;# if this is so, the habit is difficult to correct. AH efforts at correction are defied by some children, but in these cases this results gene: ally through the habit being permitted at an early age. Think about the harm that may be caused: that is the advice to parents who tolerate the habit. If they considered the potential harm they would not let their children act thus.