When Your Chandler Pediatric Dentist Recommends Intervention for Oral Habits

From thumb sucking to prolonged pacifier use, there are lots of common childhood oral habits that are developmentally normal. But knowing when they become a concern can be tricky. At Raya Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Kiley Raya gently guides parents on recognizing when these habits may need positive intervention. Our goal is always prevention and education first, helping families build healthy routines from the very start.

Understanding Common Oral Habits in Children

In early infancy and toddlerhood, oral habits like thumb sucking, finger sucking, tongue thrusting, or extended pacifier use are comforting self-soothing mechanisms. However, as your child grows, these habits may begin to affect the development of their mouth, teeth, and even speech.

Dr. Raya, a board-certified pediatric dentist, monitors these behaviors during regular visits at our office and may recommend watching for signs such as:

• Changes in bite alignment or the way teeth come together (malocclusion)
• Speech difficulties or lisping due to tongue position
• Prolonged pacifier or thumb use past age 3–4
• Soreness or calluses on fingers, thumbs, or lips

By detecting concerns early, our team provides compassionate support and fun, age-appropriate coaching to guide children gently away from these habits.

When Intervention Becomes Necessary

While many children naturally outgrow habits like thumb sucking, sometimes a little extra help is needed. Dr. Raya considers each child’s unique development, personality, and health when recommending intervention. Signs that intervention may be beneficial include:

• Permanent teeth beginning to erupt while the habit continues
• Speech issues attributed to oral habits
• Frustration or embarrassment experienced by the child
• Repeated attempts to stop the habit without success
• Difficulties properly chewing and/or swallowing solid food

At Raya Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry, we understand that every family’s journey is different. Dr. Raya uses gentle guidance, positive reinforcement, and fun educational tools to make the process engaging, not stressful, for kids and parents alike.

How We Help Make Habit-Breaking Positive

Our approach always starts with encouragement and prevention-focused care. Dr. Raya crafts personalized strategies based on your child’s age, readiness, and comfort level, reinforcing good habits while easing out older, potentially harmful ones. Some of our recommended habit-breaking methods may include:

• Rewards charts and fun milestone tracking
• Using other comfort items to replace thumb or pacifier use
• Referrals to local speech-language pathologists or other professionals
• Custom dental appliances for older children when necessary

Every recommendation is made with empathy and community values in mind, so families know they are not alone. Our inviting office environment features dual-chair family rooms and a calming atmosphere to make children feel safe and supported during treatment.

Supporting Long-Term Success Through Positive Reinforcement

Supporting a child through breaking an oral habit is about much more than stopping a behavior. It is about building lifelong confidence and health habits in a nurturing, fun environment. 

At Raya Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry, we focus on positive reinforcement, family collaboration, and child-led progress to ensure sustainable outcomes. We also provide parents with practical tools and suggestions they can use at home, such as:

• Nighttime routines that reduce comfort-seeking habits
• Age-level books and stories that promote mouth health
• Encouraging peer modeling through interactions with siblings or classmates

Dr. Kiley Raya’s strength lies in making every milestone approachable, educational, and even fun! Our families leave each visit equipped to continue success long after they walk out the door.

Schedule a Habit Consult With Your Trusted Chandler Pediatric Dentist

If you have noticed persistent oral habits and are wondering if it is time for intervention, we are here to help. Call Raya Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry in Chandler at (773) 578-4677 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Raya. Whether it is your child’s first dental visit or you are seeking support for a specific habit, we will partner with you to protect their growing smile in a warm, family-friendly environment where comfort always comes first.