Thumb and pacifier habits are completely normal reflexes for infants! If prolonged, the habit can start to affect the jaw bone growth & development and create dental complications.

When is it time to encourage a child to stop thumb sucking or a pacifier habit? Dr. Knapp and the American Association of Orthodontics recommends around age 3 to stop the thumb or pacifier habit. The prolonged habit can create dental and skeletal complications in the future.

Check out the full eightWest video featuring Dr. Knapp and Jordan Carson talk in further detail about thumb sucking or pacifier habits, and how to encourage your child through the process.