Thumb sucking is a common habit among children, which can have several effects on the teeth and oral structure, especially if the habit persists beyond the age of 4 to 5 years, when permanent teeth start to emerge. The severity of these effects often depends on the intensity, frequency, and duration of the habit. Here are some potential impacts:
Misalignment of Teeth (Malocclusion)
- Anterior Open Bite: This occurs when the front teeth don't touch when the mouth is closed, leading to a gap between the upper and lower teeth. Constant thumb sucking can prevent the front teeth from erupting properly or cause them to move outward.
- Posterior Crossbite: Prolonged thumb sucking can cause the upper jaw to narrow, altering the bite's alignment and leading to a crossbite, where the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside.
Changes in Jaw Structure
- Altered Jaw Growth: The pressure from thumb sucking can influence the shape and size of the jaw. It may lead to a narrower upper jaw, which can affect the proper development and alignment of teeth.
Speech Impediments
- Articulation Problems: Misalignments caused by thumb sucking can affect a child's ability to form certain sounds correctly, leading to speech issues such as lisps.
Roof of Mouth Changes
- Palatal Changes: The roof of the mouth can become more sensitive or altered in shape due to prolonged pressure from thumb sucking. This can affect oral function and development.
Hygiene Concerns
- Increased Risk of Infection: Regular insertion of the thumb into the mouth can introduce bacteria, increasing the risk of infections and affecting oral health.
How to stop your child from thumb sucking
Stopping a long-term habit can be tough and often requires more than six weeks. Before trying to get your child to quit thumb sucking, it's crucial to watch their actions closely to grasp the reasons and situations that lead to this behavior. Pay attention to situations that might encourage thumb sucking, like watching TV or being in the car. Knowing when your child is more inclined to suck their thumb can help you offer different activities to distract them. Criticizing your child for thumb sucking is unhelpful and might even make it harder to stop. Parents can adopt a straightforward behavioral technique that actively involves their child in the process.
- Start by working together with your child to create a progress chart. Encourage your child to participate in the fun by choosing a color or selecting stickers to mark their progress.
- Discuss with your child to agree on an acceptable number of slip-ups per week. At the end of each week without thumb or finger sucking, provide a reward. Offer a bigger reward for achieving a month without thumb or finger sucking.
- Consider applying a bitter-tasting liquid to the nails, but not directly to the fingers, and only at night to reduce thumb sucking during sleep. Additionally, wearing mittens, gloves, or a finger splint at night can help prevent thumb and finger sucking.
