The Effects of Thumb Sucking

How Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Use Can Affect Children’s Teeth

For children, thumb sucking is a natural reflex, and using pacifiers, fingers, thumbs, or other objects is often a means for them to feel happy and secure or as a way to soothe themselves to relax or sleep. Although this may seem positive for children, thumb sucking can often cause problems with children’s teeth including the growth of the teeth into the mouth as well as the teeth’s alignment. Here is what you need to know about thumb sucking and your child’s oral health.

Why Does Thumb Sucking Affect Teeth?

As mentioned, prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use can cause issues with the growth of permanent teeth as well as teeth alignment as they break into the mouth. Additionally, studies have shown that thumb sucking can also cause changes to the roof of the child’s mouth. This is caused by the intensity of the sucking motion that is used with thumbs or pacifiers – those who aggressively suck their thumbs or pacifiers often develop problems with their teeth.

When Should Children Stop Sucking Their Thumbs?

Children generally stop sucking their thumbs between two and four years of age on their own or usually by the time their permanent front teeth begin to come in. Should a child continue to suck their thumb or use a pacifier past this point, it may take parental intervention to stop the behavior. For parents who notice negative changes to their child’s primary teeth or have a concern about their child’s thumb sucking or pacifier use, they should consult their dental professional as soon as they can.

How Can Thumb Sucking be Stopped?

For those parents who are working to stop the use of a pacifier or a thumb sucking behavior with their child, here are some helpful tips:

• Encourage the child to not suck their thumb and praise them when they succeed.
• For children who suck their thumb or use a pacifier for comfort, focus on eliminating the cause of anxiety and provide comfort for the child in other ways.
• For children who are older, involve them in the decision making process for ways they can stop sucking their thumb or using a pacifier.
• Seek help from a dental professional to explain to the child the effects of thumb sucking and offer some support in getting the child to stop the behavior.

If you are concerned about your child's prolonged thumb sucking, remember you can always consult with your dentist. You can also sign up for our New Hampshire Family Discount Dental Plan to save as much as 20 percent on your dental bills. For more information, please click here.

Copyright: bubutu / 123RF Stock Photo