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As you were growing up, you probably turned to thumb-sucking as a comfort mechanism. Nearly every child takes up this habit when they’re young, so there’s a high possibility that your child will, or has already taken up this habit. So why do children instinctively turn to this habit? What does thumb-sucking have to do with oral health, and can it affect the development of teeth? The pediatric team at Parkcrest Dental has the answers.
Many children start sucking their thumbs at a young age. Some even start as early as in the womb. Thumb-sucking is a normal, natural reflex that provides a sense of security. The action is relaxing, which is why you often see children sucking their thumb as they sleep.
Your child’s thumb-sucking habit won’t last forever, as many children stop sucking their thumbs at four years old at the latest. Eventually, your child will grow out of their habit as their urge will disappear. Some children will continue thumb sucking past preschool, but as they get older, their chances of continuing the habit will decrease. If your child continues to suck their thumb as their permanent teeth start to come in, this is when you need to take action.
While thumb-sucking may seem like an innocent habit, it can have its setbacks. It all depends on how your child is sucking their thumb and the angle. If the thumb is only resting slightly inside the mouth, less damage is likely to occur to your child’s teeth. However, if the thumb sucking is more aggressive with their thumb right up against their teeth, this form of thumb sucking can cause the teeth to misalign and stunt proper growth of their mouth. Extreme thumb sucking cases can result in your child’s teeth and face to become misshapen, causing orthodontic problems in the future.
If you notice your child continue this habit well past the normal time frame, there are several steps you can take to put a stop to the thumb sucking habit.
Take notice of when your child is sucking their thumb, whether it be during long car rides or during stressful situations. When you spot these moments, try to create diversions so your child is less likely to participate in their habit.
It’s important that you continue to stay positive and be supportive of your child during this time. Instead of punishing your child for sucking their thumb, give praise when you notice them starting to break their habit.
If you consistently see your child struggle with their thumb-sucking habit, place a band-aid over their thumb as a reminder to stop sucking.
For every day that your child doesn’t suck their thumb, track their progress by making a chart and putting a sticker on the days your child is successful at combating their habit. If your child makes it through an entire week with no hiccups, let them pick out a reward. This can be anything from a new toy or video game to a rare outing to the park. After a month, the habit should be over with.
If you start to see that your child is sucking their thumb when they’re anxious, focus your efforts to the source of their anxiety rather than thumb-sucking. When your child stops feeling anxious, their thumb sucking habit should be gone too.
As you’re trying to stop their habit, let them know why they need to stop and what can happen to their teeth if they don’t quit.
If you’re worried about the state of your child’s teeth due to thumb sucking or can’t seem to eliminate the troublesome habit, make a visit with your child to the Parkcrest Dental Office. The pediatric team can evaluate the state of your child’s oral health and come up with a plan of action. Call the Springfield, MO, office at 417-221-8965.
