Understanding Thumb Sucking: A Guide for Parents
Thumb sucking is a common habit among babies and toddlers, with nearly half of two- and three-year-olds engaging in it. For many children, thumb sucking serves as a way to self-soothe, offering comfort when they’re tired, bored, or upset. It can even help them drift off to sleep more easily.
While most children naturally stop thumb sucking during their early years, parents may worry if the habit persists. This concern often leads to questions about its potential impact on dental health.
Let’s explore the effects of thumb sucking, how it compares to dummies, and what steps you can take to mitigate any dental issues.
Does Thumb Sucking Cause Orthodontic Problems?
Thumb sucking can lead to orthodontic issues, but it doesn’t guarantee that your child will face dental problems.
The risks associated with thumb sucking increase if the habit continues into the age when adult teeth start to emerge, typically around 6-7 years. At this stage, prolonged thumb sucking can result in:
- Reduced growth of the lower jaw
- Bucked teeth (upper front teeth flaring forward)
- A constricted upper jaw, leading to crossbites
- Crowding of lower front teeth or a backward tipping of these teeth
- An open bite (where the front teeth don’t overlap)
Fortunately, most children outgrow thumb sucking before they develop their adult teeth, minimizing the chances of dental complications. However, it may be wise for parents to encourage their children to stop if they still suck their thumbs when they begin losing baby teeth.
Dummies vs. Thumb Sucking
Many parents opt to give their babies dummies to soothe them, particularly at bedtime or during moments of distress. While both dummies and thumb sucking can pose risks to dental health, some parents find dummies easier to manage and wean off. With a dummy, parents can gradually decrease usage, helping their child break the habit before adult teeth begin to emerge.
How Orthodontic Treatment Can Address Dental Problems from Thumb Sucking
If thumb sucking continues after a child has developed their adult teeth, it may cause those teeth to shift out of alignment or worsen existing issues. If your child is a thumb or digit-sucker, an orthodontic assessment around 7 years is recommended.
Orthodontists may suggest various strategies to help break the thumb-sucking habit, including:
- Wearing a glove or mitten
- Applying a bandage to the thumb
- Using a bitter-tasting habit-breaking varnish
- Fitting a thumb guard
- A customised orthodontic thumb crib
An orthodontic thumb crib is a very effective measure to deter thumb sucking. However, your specialist orthodontist is likely to other the cheaper and less-invasive measures above first.
The longer the habit persists, the worse the effect of the teeth and jaws usually is. In severe cases, a combination of orthodontic treatment and jaw surgery is necessary to achieve a normal bite and jaw position. In most instances, however, braces or clear aligners can bring teeth back into alignment for a straighter, healthier smile. Many children who stopped sucking their thumbs early on often still need some orthodontic treatment for the correction of any persisting open bites, crookedness, buck teeth.
Both braces and aligners achieve great results, although they do so with slightly different methods. Your orthodontist will assess your child’s teeth, face, smile, and bite and advise what the best method(s) might be for them.
- Braces use brackets attached to the teeth and a special wire to pull the teeth into place. They remain attached to the teeth until they are removed by an orthodontist.
- Aligners are custom-made for the patient’s mouth, and are created as a series that will be worn one after the other to slowly move the teeth into place. They are much less noticeable during wear thanks to their clear design and can be taken out for meals and cleaning.
If you’re concerned about your child’s thumb sucking, consult a local Wellington Orthodontist. They can assess any dental issues and discuss potential treatments. Remember, the sooner the habit is addressed, the better the chance for teeth to return to their natural alignment. If they don’t, orthodontic treatment can effectively correct any problems. By understanding thumb sucking and its implications, you can better support your child’s dental health and overall well-being.
Contact our friendly team at Thorndon Ortho today to chat through your options, or make an appointment to begin treatment.
