It's normal for children to suck their thumbs, their fingers or a pacifier. Most children give up this habit on their own by age 4, with no harm done to their teeth. If your child still has a sucking habit after age 4, tell your dentist. Your dentist can watch carefully for any problems as the teeth develop. In most children there is no reason to worry about a sucking habit until around age 6, when the permanent front teeth come in.
Pediatric dentists like to have a first visit around the child's first birthday.
This gives the dentist a chance to look for early problems with the teeth. It's a good time to review important advice about diet, bottles, tooth brushing and fluoride use. It also helps your child become comfortable with a dental office and get started with regular dental check-ups. This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.