Effects of Thumb Sucking on Teeth

While thumb sucking is a normal, soothing habit amongst infants and toddlers, it can cause a wide range of dental problems if they do not stop after a certain age. In this article, we will break down what you should know about thumbsucking and its effects on your child’s teeth.

Dental Problems From Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking can cause a variety of issues, with the main concern being the way it affects the natural growth of the mouth, including the roof of the mouth and the proper alignment of teeth. The sucking motion applies significant pressure on the teeth causing them to slant. Long-term thumb sucking can also lead to a misaligned bite.

When a child’s mouth is entirely closed, their upper front teeth slightly overlap their front lower teeth, indicating that they have a correct bite. Children with an open bite, on the other hand, will have no tooth overlap. Due to the increased pressure, a misaligned bite can make it harder to eat and chew effectively, as well as cause the rear teeth to wear down more quickly. Thumb sucking could result in an overbite, which can lead to a deformed roof of the mouth in some cases.

Tips for Helping Your Child Stop Thumb Sucking

• Help them reduce their anxiety or teach them a healthier coping method by addressing their self-soothing needs. Snuggle them under a blanket or, if they are talkative, talk to them about their problems. If you don’t address your child’s need for self-soothing, he or she may develop yet another negative habit.
• Praise your youngster for going a day without sucking their thumb. Make it a game by including a chart that tracks the days. For certain achievements, award minor incentives. The more invested your child is in giving it up, the less likely they are to fight you about it.
• Talk to your Plantation pediatric dentist, Tamarac pediatric dentist, or Davie pediatric dentist and ask them to speak to your child about the importance of stopping thumb sucking. Children will sometimes respond better if another adult explains it to them. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance.

May 30, 2022