Health tip: Stop your child's thumb-sucking habit

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(HealthDay News) -- Thumb sucking may be a soothing pursuit for young children, but the instinctive practice could eventually damage the teeth, experts say.

The American Dental Association suggests ways to help your child stop thumb sucking:

Rather than scolding your child for sucking the thumb, offer praise when the child isn't doing it.
Find ways to offer comfort and ease anxiety, which may help stem thumb sucking.
Have your dentist explain to the child why thumb sucking may be harmful.
Bandage the thumb or apply an unpleasant-tasting medication (recommended by your pediatrician) to remind your child to stop the habit.

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Health tip: Stop your child's thumb-sucking habit

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