Children begin sucking on their thumb while in the womb to develop the skills necessary for breastfeeding. Many infants and toddlers also find thumb-sucking very soothing and will continue to suck their thumb or use a pacifier after they start eating solid foods or stop taking a bottle.

Unfortunately, the use of pacifiers, bottles and sippy cups can lead to dental and speech problems as your child gets older. Since children develop at different ages, it is a good idea to speak with your dentist and pediatrician to make sure that your infant or toddler's habits don't cause problems.

In a child's first few years, pacifier use generally doesn't cause problems. But constant, long-term pacifier use, especially once permanent teeth come in, can lead to dental complications. Constant sucking can cause top front teeth to slant out, and bottom front teeth to tilt in. It also can lead to jaw misalignment and a narrowing of the roof of the mouth.

It is generally advised that children stop or drastically reduce their pacifier use around age 3. If a child is dependent on the pacifier to be calmed and soothed, try giving it to him or her only when absolutely necessary and using positive reinforcement to wean them off the habit.

If possible, buy pacifiers labeled "orthodontically friendly" because they may limit the risk of dental complications. It is also a good idea to buy pacifiers constructed as one piece. And never attach a pacifier to a string around your child's neck, this can cause them to choke.

Many children use a bottle longer than necessary. Apart from the risks associated with the sucking motion, bottles also carry a heavy risk of promoting tooth decay if they contain anything other than water.

Frequently sucking or sipping on milk or juice from a bottle over an extended period of time will increase your child's risk of tooth decay. When sugars and carbohydrates come in consistent contact with teeth they create an environment for decay-causing bacteria to thrive. Tooth decay can lead to painful infection and in extreme cases children may have to have teeth extracted or extensively repaired.

If you notice small white spots or lines on your child's teeth, particularly near the gum line, it is a good idea to consult your dentist immediately as this may be an early sign of decay. As a way to cut back on children's bottle use, many pediatricians and dentists will recommend using sippy cups. While these are very useful for transitioning your child from bottle to regular cups, they also pose their own threat to teeth and speech development.

Using sippy cups carries the same tooth decay risks as bottle use if children are primarily drinking fruit juices and milk. If this is the case, substitute plain water as much as possible to limit decay.

Like bottles and pacifiers, prolonged, constant sippy cup use can also cause teeth to shift. Limiting children to use during meals or snacks and transitioning to regular cups as early as possible should eliminate this risk.

If your child has trouble drinking from regular cups, cups with slotted openings could ease the transition and break the cycle of sippy cup use since they limit liquid flow without requiring your child to suck or clamp their teeth.

Speak with your dentist about proper sippy cup, bottle and pacifier use. Your dentist will be able to best advise you about risks and how and when to transition children away from their use.