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Dubai | Staff Reporter | December
29, 2006
Sucking your thumb ruins teeth, says Jebel Ali
Hospital
(Dubai Health & News) Children who suck on dummies or their
thumbs for more than the first year of life are twice as likely to have
crooked milk teeth, according to specialists at Jebel Ali Hospital,
Dubai.
"Trends in the UAE indicate that the majority of children are
bottle-fed and this can lead to prolonged thumb sucking," said Dr.
Murali Srinivasan, Specialist Dentist at Jebel Ali Hospital. "Thumb
sucking can also be a result of psychological issues such as insecurity,
sibling rivalry, anxiety, fear or the need for attention."
Dr. Srinivasan said: "The fast pace of life in the UAE and long
working hours can limit the amount of quality time parents spend with
their children. Some parents, understandably, resort to dummies or
bottle-feeding to pacify young ones, and mothers can ignore the
importance of breast-feeding."
He said: "A lack of care and attention given to very young children
can lead to feelings of isolation and increase the likelihood of
symptoms such as thumb sucking, which might appear harmless but have
negative physical side effects over the long term."
Besides being unhygienic, thumb sucking causes dental alignment
problems, discomfort while swallowing and speech problems.
Dr. Srinivasan said: "If not addressed in time, thumb sucking can
impact jaw and teeth development, leading to a narrowing of the teeth
arches. This may affect breathing and even lead to ear infections - and
ultimately require expensive treatment once a child's permanent teeth
appear after the age of four."
He said: "Habits are not easily broken, but all children respond to
love and attention. More quality time with children can be the most
effective form of corrective action."
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