Most children stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers or
other objects on their own between 2 and 4 years of
age. However, some children continue these habits
over long periods of time. In these children, the upper front teeth may tip toward the lip or not come in
properly. Frequent or intense habits over a prolonged
period of time can affect the way the child’s teeth
bite together, as well as the growth of the jaws and
bones that support the teeth.