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The oral habit of thumb sucking

Thumb sucking is a common habit among infants and young children, providing them with comfort and security during their early years. While it’s a natural reflex, thumb sucking can lead to dental and speech issues if it continues beyond the toddler stage. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the causes of thumb sucking, its impact on dental health, and effective strategies for intervention. By understanding these factors, parents and caregivers can help their children break the habit and promote healthier oral development and overall health.

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Why do children suck their thumbs?

Thumb sucking serves several purposes for young children. It’s primarily a self-soothing mechanism, helping them cope with feelings of anxiety or discomfort. Many children also suck their thumbs when they’re tired or bored, finding comfort in the familiar action. While most children naturally outgrow this habit by the age of 3 or 4, some may continue beyond this period, leading to potential dental and speech complications. 

Thumb sucking teeth impacts

As children’s teeth and jaws develop, prolonged thumb sucking can start to affect their oral structure. The continuous pressure exerted by the thumb can interfere with the proper alignment of the teeth and the growth of the jaw. This can lead to a variety of dental issues, including malocclusion, where the teeth are misaligned.

Malocclusion and dental alignment

Malocclusion refers to the misalignment of the teeth, and it’s one of the most common dental issues resulting from prolonged thumb sucking. The dental arches are misaligned. The most typical forms of malocclusion caused by thumb sucking include: 

Speech impediments

Beyond dental alignment issues, thumb sucking can also impact speech development. The misalignment of teeth and changes in the shape of the palate can lead to difficulties in articulating certain sounds, resulting in speech impediments such as lisps. These speech issues can affect a child’s communication skills and confidence, making early intervention crucial.

How thumb sucking can damage teeth?

The mechanical effects of thumb sucking on teeth and jaws can lead to significant dental complications that may require orthodontic treatment to correct. While Aspen Dental does not offer orthodontic care to children, it’s helpful to understand what these complications include.

Orthodontic considerations

In cases where thumb sucking has led to significant dental concerns, orthodontic intervention may be necessary. This could involve the use of braces or aligners, like Motto®, to realign the teeth and jaws, correcting any malocclusions that have developed. Early orthodontic evaluation with your general dentist can help determine the best course of action to address these issues. But it’s also never too late to start your teeth straightening journey. With Motto® at Aspen Dental, we offer treatment to patients from ages 16+ and up.

Addressing common myths about thumb sucking

There are several misconceptions about thumb sucking that can lead to misunderstandings about its impact and how to address it. It’s important to dispel these myths to ensure that parents and caregivers are taking the right steps to support their child’s oral health.

Myth: Children will naturally outgrow thumb sucking.

Fact:

While it’s true that many children stop thumb sucking on their own, others may continue the habit into later childhood, leading to dental and speech issues. Early intervention is key to preventing long-term complications. 

Myth: Thumb sucking is harmless for dental health.

Fact:

Prolonged thumb sucking can have significant effects on dental alignment, speech development and oral health. It’s important to recognize the potential risks and take action if the habit persists beyond the toddler years. 

Tips on how to stop thumb sucking

Breaking the habit of thumb sucking requires patience, consistency, and a supportive approach. Here are some tips to help your child stop thumb sucking:

Thumb sucking FAQs

To fix an overbite caused by thumb sucking, several orthodontic treatments may be recommended, depending on the severity of the case. One effective solution is using clear aligners, like Motto® clear aligners, which gradually shift your teeth into the correct position. Please note, Aspen Dental only treats patients 16 years and older. It's important to consult with your dentist or orthodontist to determine the best course of treatment for your specific needs.

Babies start sucking their thumb as a natural reflex that helps them feel secure and comforted. This behavior often begins in the womb and continues after birth as a self-soothing technique. Thumb sucking provides babies with a sense of relaxation, helping them cope with feelings of hunger, tiredness or discomfort.

Thumb sucking is generally harmless in infants and young toddlers, serving as a normal part of their development. However, if the habit persists beyond the age of 4, it can lead to dental issues such as misalignment of teeth or changes in the roof of the mouth. Prolonged thumb sucking may also affect speech development and increase the risk of oral infections, making it important to address the habit as the child grows older.

Babies can start sucking their thumb as early as in the womb, with ultrasound images sometimes capturing this behavior. After birth, thumb sucking typically continues as a natural reflex that helps them explore their surroundings and find comfort. Most babies begin sucking their thumb within the first few months of life, and the habit may continue into early childhood as a self-soothing mechanism. Learn more about the connections between oral health and pregnancy here >

Most children stop sucking their thumb naturally between the ages of 2 and 4. By age 6, it is possible to still avoid orthodontic issues. In general, thumb sucking past the age of 8 is considered a problem. By this point, permanent teeth have come in and jaw development is starting to move. If a child is still sucking their thumb by this stage of life, intervention may be necessary to stop the habit before more damage is done.

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Motto™ aligners can help fix tooth damage from thumb sucking

Thumb sucking can be a hard habit to break, and the damage can be lasting. Talk with the professionals at Motto®  to understand the severe damage that could occur, and learn how clear aligners work to help correct the early damage from thumb sucking.

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