Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for children. Sucking on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects may make babies feel secure and happy and help them learn about their world. Young children may also suck to soothe themselves and help them fall asleep.
Children usually stop sucking between the ages of two and four years old, or by the time the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt.
If you notice changes in your child’s primary teeth, or are concerned about your child’s thumb sucking consult your dentist.
However, after the permanent teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. It can also cause changes in the roof of the mouth. Pacifiers can affect the teeth essentially the same ways as sucking fingers and thumbs, but it is often an easier habit to break.
The intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may result. If children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs.
- Praise your child for not sucking.
- Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.
- For an older child, involve him or her in choosing the method of stopping.
- Your dentist can offer encouragement to your child and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking.
- If the above tips don’t work, remind the child of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night. Your dentist or pediatrician may prescribe a bitter medication to coat the thumb or the use of a mouth appliance.
Prolonged thumb-sucking turns into a habit that can cause a dental and even a skeletal open bite. If the habit ceases while the child is still growing, the dental open bite can self-correct, but sometimes the help of a dentist or an orthodontist is required to correct the position of the teeth and align the jaws. Oftentimes the actual thumb-sucking may stop, but the child develops a tongue-thrusting habit while eating, speaking, and swallowing. This tongue-thrusting then perpetuates the deleterious force on the dentition and jaws. If the open bite is not corrected while the child is growing, then jaw surgery may be required to correct the bite.
It is important to note that correction of thumb sucking habit is a collaborative effort by the dental professional, parent, and patient in order to break the habit and prevent some of the ill effects and eventual jaw surgery.
Try to find out why the child has continued the habit and look for the etiology. If it continues, then we as a dental profession may need to intervene. There are various types of devices that can be used, from Bluegrass and tongue shield appliances to composite or metal spikes bonded to the lingual of the maxillary incisors. Even removable types of appliances can be used, but these are not as effective because children have a tendency to not wear them.
Its wise to visit a dentist and then follow his advice for correction of thumb sucking habit.
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