How does the habit of thumb sucking affect my child’s teeth?

Infants have a sucking reflex that usually persists beyond the first years of life. Thumb sucking is a natural prolongation of this reflex, often used by babies and toddlers. While thumb sucking can help children deal with stressful situations, continued thumb sucking can affect a child’s oral health once teeth have come in.

Thumb sucking is an ordinary part of childhood 
Unpaced infants use thumb or thumb sucking before bedtime or as a form of comfort when stressed or uncomfortable. This is usually allowed until teething begins. At this point, most babies have learned to use other self-soothing methods. However, it is not uncommon for infants and preschoolers to suck their thumbs instead of a nipple or bottle until they are at least 4 years old. After that, thumb sucking can start to cause problems.

Long term effects of thumb sucking on the mouth
Excessive thumb sucking can have many effects on teeth and mouth. This can cause one of the following effects: 

1. Front teeth may protrude from the jaw and mouth 
2. Other bite problems, such as back teeth in the mouth or an open bite 
3. Changes in the shape of the jaw can also affect the arrangement of the teeth and speech patterns
4.  Mouth itching 

Children who suck their thumbs for a long time and continue to suck their thumb hard may be at increased risk of these side effects.

Here are a few tips to help your child stop sucking their thumb before doing any irreversible harm:

1. Give your child rewards such as buying them toys or bringing them something they like. However, this should only be done occasionally.  
2. Be honest with your children. Young children may not understand the negative effects of thumb sucking, but older children need to be aware of the harm the habit can cause over time. 
3. Help him find another way to deal with stress. Keep a positive attitude while you’re missing out. 
4. Always praise your child’s progress while they’re leaving the habit of thumb sucking. 

Schedule your appointment with a dentist today and get the treatment on time!