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Thumb sucking is common in young children. Most kids will stop the habit around two to four years of age, but there are some who keep doing it until they are much older. Past four years of age, parents need to be aware that this habit could alter the alignment of their child’s teeth and jaw.
Continue reading to learn if thumb sucking can cause the need for braces, and how it impacts your child’s smile. We also share tips to help your child break the habit and treatment options available in Mississauga.
Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of primary teeth can, and usually does, cause improper growth of the mouth and misalignment of the teeth.
The most obvious sign that a child sucks their thumb is changes to the front teeth. The sucked thumb or finger can cause the upper front teeth to protrude forward. This protrusion is also known as an overbite, or ‘buck teeth’. The constant pressure from the hand in their mouth can also cause the lower front teeth to tip forward.
An open bite can also occur with thumb sucking. This means the upper teeth don’t overlap the bottom teeth when the back teeth are together. The thumb or finger has created an opening between the top and bottom front teeth and prevents them from meeting.
A child’s speech can be impacted by an open bite. Straight front teeth help pronounce some letters. A lisp may be heard when they say the s and z sounds. Without speech therapy and orthodontic treatment later on, the lisp can remain into adulthood.
The shape of our jaws influences the shape of our face. An overbite where the front teeth are pushed forward to accommodate the thumb, is likely to change the overall look and shape of a child’s face. Orthodontic treatment can reverse the face shape changes.
Parents often wonder if they should have introduced their baby to a dummy rather than let them suck on their thumb, however a dummy isn’t much better. They can still cause jaw and teeth alignment problems if they use it long and often enough. No shape or brand of dummy is better than another at reducing teeth and jaw risks.
Parents should encourage their child to stop the habit beginning around 3 years of age. The sooner the habit ceases after age 4, the lower their risk for developing problems. To help your child stop sucking their thumb, try the following tips:
Different types of thumb sucking appliances are available that are specifically designed to break the early childhood habit. The dentist attaches a mechanical device by wires to rear molars, extending to the front of the mouth. These devices work behind the upper front teeth at the roof of the mouth to either block or cause a firm pressure when sucking of the thumb is attempted.
If you believe your child could benefit from a thumb sucking appliance, click here to schedule a consultation with a dentist at Britannia Dental Care.
These problems in your child’s ‘bite’ or occlusion, can be corrected orthodontically. If you think your child may need braces to correct their dental problems, contact our team for a free consultation. If you’re aware of your child’s thumb sucking habits, please reach out to us as we may be able to intervene and eliminate, or at least lessen the development of orthodontic problems in the future.
Orthodontic transformation of a patient with an open bite due to thumb sucking.
