Learn the best ways to support your child’s oral health in Laguna Niguel at Kidz Modern Dentistry. We guide children in breaking habits like thumb-sucking and pacifier dependence. Book now!
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If your child still sucks their thumb at age four or clings to a pacifier long past infancy, you are far from alone. These are among the most common concerns parents bring to pediatric dental visits, and they are exactly the kind of issue where early guidance makes a difference. Oral habit counseling helps families understand, monitor, and when needed, gently address habits that can affect how a child’s jaw and teeth develop.
At Kidz Modern Dentistry in Laguna Niguel, Dr. Lida Pishbin and Dr. Solmaz Shir look at each habit in the context of your child’s age, temperament, and what their teeth and bite actually show. The goal is never to alarm parents, but to give you the right information at the right time so a small concern does not become a bigger one.
Real families sharing their experiences with our pediatric dental care.
Sucking on a thumb, fingers, or a pacifier is a natural way for babies and toddlers to soothe themselves, and in the first few years it is generally harmless. According to HealthyChildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics, strong sucking that continues beyond 2 to 4 years of age may begin to affect the shape of the mouth and how the teeth line up.
How hard and how often a child sucks matters as much as how long the habit lasts. A child who rests a thumb in their mouth now and then is very different from one who sucks hard through the day and night. The good news is that when a habit stops before the permanent front teeth come in, mild changes in the teeth often correct themselves.
For families coming from communities like Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo, or Laguna Hills, all appointments take place at the Laguna Niguel office on La Paz Road.
Oral habits are behaviors involving the mouth, tongue, lips, or fingers that a child repeats regularly, often for comfort. Many are completely normal in infancy and early toddlerhood. The concern comes when they continue past certain developmental stages or happen with a lot of force and frequency.
Habits the dentist commonly sees include:
Knowing which habits are normal for your child’s age is one of the most useful things counseling offers. Many families are relieved to hear that their two-year-old’s pacifier is not causing harm.
Others learn that a seven-year-old’s thumb sucking habit is worth addressing now, while the jaw is still growing and the permanent teeth are coming in.
A habit evaluation is conversational and observational. There is no painful procedure involved, and it usually happens as part of a regular checkup. The dentist starts by asking when the habit began, how often it happens, whether it is mostly during the day or at sleep, and whether you have noticed any changes in your child’s teeth or speech.
Your observations as a parent matter here. The dentist puts what you have seen at home together with what shows up in the exam, so the advice fits your child rather than a general timeline.
During the evaluation, the dentist looks at:
How far the upper front teeth sit in front of the lower ones
Whether there is a gap between the front teeth when the back teeth are together
Whether the upper and lower jaws are developing with enough width for the permanent teeth
How your child swallows and where the tongue rests
Whether baby and permanent teeth are coming in where and when expected
Habit counseling and orthodontic monitoring work together, tracking whether the bite corrects itself once a habit stops or whether an orthodontic review may be needed later.
Slots for emergency dental visits available today. Don't let your child's dental pain wait. Call or text us now!
Pacifiers are not a problem in themselves. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime in infancy because it helps reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, so parents should not feel guilty about using one in the early months.
The dental concerns come later. Pacifier use that continues past age 2 or 3 can affect the teeth in ways similar to prolonged thumb sucking. Pacifier habits are often easier to manage than thumb sucking because parents control access. Limiting the pacifier to sleep first, then phasing it out, and avoiding weaning during big changes like a new sibling or starting daycare can make the process smoother.
Pacifier and bottle habits often come up during infant oral health exams, which is a good time to start the conversation.
Tongue thrust is a swallowing pattern where the tongue pushes forward against the teeth instead of pressing up against the roof of the mouth. It is normal in infants, and in most children the swallow matures on its own as they move to solid foods.
When the forward tongue position continues into the years when permanent teeth are coming in, the repeated pressure of each swallow can keep the front teeth from meeting and may affect speech sounds like “s” and “z.” Parents sometimes notice that the front teeth do not touch when their child bites down, or that their child has a slight lisp.
When speech is affected, the dentist may recommend working with a speech-language pathologist or a therapist who uses tongue and swallowing exercises. If a tight tongue tie is limiting how the tongue moves, a frenectomy may also be discussed.
Breaking an oral habit is rarely about willpower. Most habits give a child comfort or help them manage stress, boredom, or tiredness, so the approaches that work best support the child rather than fight them. Praising and rewarding habit-free time, using a star chart, and keeping hands busy when the habit tends to happen are all helpful, and a light cotton glove at night can serve as a gentle reminder.
Harsh words, teasing, or punishment tend to backfire and can make a habit stronger. Explaining in simple terms why you want to help their teeth grow straight lets your child feel like part of the plan rather than the target of it.
If gentle strategies have not worked and the habit is starting to affect the teeth, the dentist may recommend a habit-breaking appliance. It is not painful, and it works best when your child understands it and positive encouragement continues at home. Progress is then followed at each preventive checkup.
Pediatric Dentist & Practice Owner
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Diplomate by American Board of
Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric Dentist & Practice Owner
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Diplomate by American Board of
Pediatric Dentistry
Kidz Modern Dentistry works with most major dental insurance plans, and the team verifies your benefits before the appointment so you know what to expect. For families without dental insurance, the KMD Total Care membership plans are available as an alternative. The plan details are listed further down this page. To ask questions about coverage or to schedule a habit evaluation for your child, contact our Laguna Niguel office by phone or through the online booking form.
Experience total freedom in your child’s dental care. Our membership removes the barriers found in traditional insurance — no caps, no delays, and no denials. Review the benefits and exclusions to see how effortless care can be.
Common questions parents ask, answered by our pediatric dental experts.
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Read More: What Makes a Great Pediatric Dentist?Slots for emergency dental visits available today. Don't let your child's dental pain wait. Call or text us now!
We serve families from Southern Orange County, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and surrounding communities with comprehensive pediatric dental care.
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
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