Thumb sucking is a common habit small child have, and a cause of concern for many parents? Many parents are eager to know how to stop thumb sucking habit in their children. But does thumb sucking actually have adverse effects? Well, it depends.
Not all thumb sucking results in damage to teeth.
Not all thumb sucking results in damage to teeth. Passively holding the thumb in the mouth does not cause any damage. However, active thumb sucking, with a lot of motion can have an adverse effect.
Effects of Thumb Sucking on Teeth:
Active thumb sucking with a lot of motion can damage primary (baby) teeth. However, this problem gets resolved when permanent teeth come in. However, thumb sucking also comes with other, more permanent effects. Some of the effects of thumb sucking on teeth include:
- Overbite: When the front teeth protrude from the jaw and mouth.
- Other bite issues, such as the bottom teeth tipping inward toward the back of the mouth or an open bite, where the top and bottom teeth don’t meet when the mouth is closed.
- Changes to the shape of the jaw, which can also affect the alignment of the teeth and speech patterns, such as the development of a lisp.
- Sensitivity of the roof of the mouth.
These thumb sucking issues do not usually develop if the thumb sucking stops before permanent teeth set in. However prolonged thumb sucking past the stage can cause problems.
If your child is older than 4 and continues prolonged thumb sucking, or if you have concerns about your child’s thumb sucking habit, it is best to consult a pediatrician or a dentist. Malpas Dental Surgery provides top-tier pediatric dental services, with experienced professionals there to address your concerns about how to stop thumb sucking habit in children.
How to help your child avoid thumb sucking?
- Take note of your child’s thumb sucking triggers. Children often suck their thumb when they’re bored, tired, anxious, hungry etc, so attempt to figure out the root cause and address it.
- Use gentle reminders and positive reinforcement. Engage your child by praising them when they avoid thumb sucking. Calmly remind them to stop if they do continue to engage in thumb sucking behavior.
- Try a thumb shield. There are various types of thumb guards available that can serve as a reminder for your child to avoid thumb sucking.
- Try an orthodontic device. There are removable and nonremovable orthodontic devices that can help prevent your child from sucking their thumb. A pediatric orthodontist can help figure out what type of device works the best for your child.
If you still have concerns regarding thumb sucking issues, or are unable to help avoid the thumb sucking habit, consult a children’s dentist. At Malpas, we provide services of qualified and experienced pediatric dentists, who can help solve the problem of how to stop thumb sucking habit. Book an appointment now.