There are several reasons a child may choose to suck on their thumb. Whether done for comfort, due to anxiety, or out of habit, thumb sucking in children can lead to dental problems later in life, like an overbite or speech impediments. Many parents may wish to address thumbsucking at an early age before it becomes a problem, which is exactly what our dentists at Eagle Rock Dental Care recommend.
Does Thumb Sucking Harm A Child’s Teeth?
If an infant sucks their thumb, it may not result in any dental problems. Normally, children tend to stop sucking their thumbs as their teeth begin to come in. However, in some cases, thumb sucking is done as a response to the child developing other coping mechanisms due to language or mobility. However, as a child ages and thumbsucking occurs, it begins to become a concern because it can affect their permanent teeth alignment and their bite. Some studies show that even in children as young as two years, thumb sucking can have negative effects on the jaw.
One major concern that parents should have about thumbsucking is its ability to lead to an open bite where the front teeth do not erupt fully and may be pushed forward. Because the teeth are pushed out of position, they may begin to come in crooked. This becomes a greater concern if the thumbsucking continues as permanent teeth begin to come in, which usually happens around age five. Thumbsucking into adolescence may result in braces or other dental work that is otherwise preventable if thumb-sucking is stopped before it leads to lifelong consequences.
Additional problems that may result following persistent thumb-sucking include:
- Overbite
- Pronunciation problems following language development
- Misaligned jaw
- Malformed roof of the mouth
How Do I Stop My Child From Thumbsucking?
While many parents may try to force their child to stop sucking their thumb, it is ultimately the child’s decision to stop. Many outgrow thumb-sucking as they get older and can better communicate their feelings or develop other coping mechanisms. However, for children that continue to suck their thumbs, there are some options parents can consider. There are many ways to wean your child off thumbsucking as they start to grow up.
First, it is important to be supportive and adopt positive reinforcement techniques that encourage your child to choose to stop thumb-sucking on their own. Negative reinforcement, such as scolding or punishments, will only lead the child to begin sucking their thumb again as a comforting mechanism.
If the child is responsive and has expressed an interest in stopping the habit, parents can cover the finger or thumb with a bandaid during the day and take the thumb or finger out of their mouth after the child falls asleep.
Older children who struggle with thumbsucking may benefit from having a dental appliance called a “tongue crib” which discourages thumb sucking. The appliance is cemented to the upper teeth, behind the upper and lower incisors, and not only helps the child stop thumb-sucking, but it trains the tongue to stop going between the upper and lower teeth, a frequent tick that thumbsucking may produce calling tongue thrust.
Contact Our Dentists in Idaho Falls, Rexburg, and Arco
Parents’ concerns about thumbsucking are substantive, and stopping the habit is possible and can prevent major dental issues later in a child’s life. If your young child has not visited the dentist yet, schedule an appointment today and get the answers you seek about building proper dental habits, breaking habits like thumbsucking, and more!
