This Common Habit Can Affect Your Child’s Smile Forever: What Every Parent Should Know
The Little Habit That Could Change Your Child’s Smile
Does your child go to sleep with their thumb in their mouth?
Do they suck their fingers when they feel tired, frightened or uncomfortable?
For many parents, thumb-sucking is a benign habit, and one that children often grow out of by school age.
However, although thumb-sucking is a normal and self-soothing behaviour in babies and toddlers, it can have a negative impact on the development of a child’s teeth and bite.
Persistent, forceful thumb-sucking can cause the front teeth to protrude, contribute to malocclusion and lead to a gap between the upper and lower front teeth.
The good news is that thumb-sucking changes are often reversible, depending on how old the child is and how long they have been sucking their thumb.
A dentist can advise on whether treatment is needed to correct changes to the teeth and bite.
At Acme Dental Lounge, Aundh, Pune we can help parents address their child’s thumb-sucking habit and discuss any orthodontic treatment needed to correct the changes.
Let’s take a closer look at the effects of thumb-sucking on a child’s teeth, and some ways of encouraging a child to stop.
How Can Thumb-Sucking Affect Your Child’s Teeth?
Persistent thumb-sucking causes the muscles in the mouth to tighten. This affects the position of the teeth and the development of the jaw bones.
The longer the habit continues, and the more forceful the sucking, the greater the risks to the alignment of the teeth and the bite.
Some of the effects of thumb sucking on children’s teeth include:
- Protruding Front Teeth
Has your child’s upper front teeth been getting more prominent?
Persistent thumb sucking affects the muscle balance in the mouth and can push the front teeth forward, causing them to stick out.
This increases the risk of the front teeth being damaged in an accident or sports injury.
What can parents do? If you have noticed that your child’s front teeth are starting to stick out, see a dentist to check whether the changes are due to thumb-sucking or another cause.
- Open Bite
An open bite means that your child’s front teeth don’t meet when they bite down.
For example, your child may have a gap between their upper and lower front teeth, even when they bite their back teeth together.
Prolonged thumb-sucking can cause an open bite in childhood, which may persist into adulthood. In addition, people with an open bite tend to stick out their tongues when they talk.
The good news is that an open bite due to thumb-sucking doesn’t always require orthodontic treatment.
The recommended treatment depends on the individual child, including the age of the child, the size of the open bite, and whether they are still sucking their thumb.
What can parents do? Talk to your dentist if you notice that your child has an open bite.
- Changes to the Shape of the Upper Jaw
The upper jaw, or maxilla, expands as a child grows. This allows room for the permanent teeth to erupt.
However, changes to the muscles in the jaw due to thumb sucking can change the shape of the upper jaw and the way the teeth fit together.
For example, some children who suck their thumbs develop a posterior crossbite, where the upper back teeth bite inside the lower back teeth.
What can parents do? The changes to the muscles in the jaw due to thumb sucking are usually not a cause for concern. However, if you have any worries about your child’s bite, talk to a dentist.
- Crooked Permanent Teeth
Parents with children who suck their thumbs often wonder whether this habit can lead to crooked permanent teeth.
The short answer is yes… but it depends.
It usually takes several years of hard, forceful thumb sucking to change the position of the permanent teeth.
However, if your child is still sucking their thumb when their permanent teeth start to come through, they may need orthodontic treatment in the future.
It’s also important to remember that crooked teeth can also be caused by several other factors, including genetics.
What can parents do? You don’t have to wait until your child’s permanent teeth come through before you see a dentist about persistent thumb sucking. If their permanent teeth are erupting, a dentist can assess the risks and any treatment options.
When Should A Child Stop Thumb-Sucking?
Most children stop thumb-sucking on their own between the ages of two and four. If the habit persists beyond this age, or if your child seems to suck their thumb with a lot of force, it is a good idea to talk to a dentist.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents encourage children to stop thumb sucking and other non-nutritive oral habits by the age of 36 months.
Here’s a simple guide for parents to follow:
- Age of child What parents should know
- Infancy Sucking is a normal reflex
- Around 2-3 years Gently encourage other comforting activities
- Over 3 years Talk to a dentist about thumb sucking
- Over 4 years If thumb sucking persists, talk to a dentist
When should a parent talk to a dentist about thumb sucking?
If your child is still sucking their thumb frequently at over three years of age, or if you notice a change in their teeth or bite, it is a good idea to have a conversation with a dentist.
5 Gentle Ways to Help Your Child Stop Thumb-Sucking
Trying to stop your child from thumb sucking is a lot like trying to convince them not to breathe. It doesn’t work unless you can address the underlying cause.
Children usually only suck their thumb when they are feeling anxious, uncomfortable, or bored.
Here are some ways that you can help your child to stop thumb sucking:
- Learn When They Suck Their Thumb
Does your child usually suck their thumb when they are watching TV, or on long car trips? Once you have worked out the trigger for their thumb sucking, you can modify their daily routine to avoid it as much as possible.
If you know that your child sucks their thumb when they fall asleep, for example, you could try reading a book to them instead.
- Reward Them When They Don’t Suck Their Thumb
Children, especially younger children, don’t respond well to being nagged or punished.
Instead, praise your child when they don’t suck their thumb for an extended period.
For older children, you could set up a reward chart for not sucking their thumb.
Avoid embarrassing or punishing children when they do suck their thumb, as this can be a stressful experience for them.
- Encourage Them to Develop Another Comforting Habit
If your child uses their thumb for comfort, they will probably find it difficult to stop unless they have something else to replace it with.
Try to encourage them to develop another comforting habit, such as holding a beloved toy at bedtime.
The key is to help your child feel secure without using their thumb for comfort.
- Involve Your Child
Children are more likely to comply with your request if they feel like they are part of the process.
Explain the situation to your child and ask for their opinion on how you should handle it.
For example, they might want to create a reward chart or get a small treat from the dentist when they succeed.
- Talk to a Dentist
If all of these strategies fail, or if your child’s dental development is already being affected by their thumb sucking, talk to a dentist.
A dentist can assess your child’s teeth and let you know what the risks of continued thumb sucking are.
In some cases, a dentist can recommend a behaviour modification program or a dental appliance to stop thumb sucking.
Dental appliances prevent the thumb from going into the mouth, but should only be used as a last resort.
Does thumb sucking always cause permanent dental problems?
No. This is an important point to make to parents with concerns about their child’s teeth.
Although prolonged thumb sucking can damage the alignment of the teeth and the bite, not all children develop these problems.
It will depend on how long they have been sucking their thumb, and whether they have developed a strong bite.
Sometimes the changes to the teeth are reversible, and other times they aren’t, which is why it is important to see a dentist if your child is still sucking their thumb beyond the age of 3.
What About Pacifiers, Nail-Biting and Other Bad Habits?
There are a number of other oral habits that can affect your child’s dental development, including:
Pacifier use: Prolonged use of a pacifier may lead to changes in the bite.
Nail-biting: This habit may put excessive stress on the teeth.
Tongue thrusting: This may be associated with an open bite.
Mouth breathing: This can have several causes, including allergy issues and obstructive sleep apnea.
It is important to talk to your dentist about these oral habits, as each one carries different risks.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thumb-Sucking and Children’s Teeth
- At what age does thumb-sucking become a concern?
Thumb-sucking is normal in babies and young toddlers. If it persists beyond the age of three, talk to a dentist to see whether treatment is needed. - Can thumb-sucking cause crooked permanent teeth?
The alignment of the permanent teeth can be affected by persistent, forceful thumb sucking, but it doesn’t happen in all children. - Will my child’s teeth correct themselves after they stop thumb-sucking?
Some types of malocclusion will improve spontaneously after the child stops sucking their thumb, but other types of malocclusion may require orthodontic treatment. - Will punishing my child for thumb-sucking make them stop?
No. It is important to be gentle when talking to your child about thumb sucking, as scolding and punishment can often make the problem worse. - Is pacifier use better than thumb-sucking?
Both pacifier use and thumb sucking can affect the development of the teeth and bite if they persist beyond the age of 3. Talk to your paediatrician or dentist to see which option is best for your child. - Can thumb-sucking change the shape of a child’s jaw?
Persistent thumb sucking can be associated with changes to the dental arch and the way the teeth fit together, but it depends on the individual child. - When should I take my child to a dentist for thumb-sucking?
See a dentist if your child is still sucking their thumb at the age of three, or if you have any concerns about their dental development. - Does every child who sucks their thumb need braces?
No. Every child’s situation is different, and a dentist can advise on whether orthodontic treatment is needed in your child’s case.
Conclusion-
A Small Habit Today Can Make a Difference to Tomorrow’s Smile
Thumb-sucking is a normal habit for babies and toddlers. However, parents should be aware that persistent thumb-sucking can cause changes to the teeth and bite.
The earlier your child can stop sucking their thumb, the better it will be for their dental development.If you have any concerns about your child’s dental development, or if they are older and still suck their thumb frequently, talk to a dentist.At Acme Dental Lounge, Aundh Pune you can arrange a consultation to see if your child’s thumb-sucking is affecting their teeth and bite.
Clinic: Acme Dental Lounge, Aundh Pune,
Contact: 9923459984
