The Harm That Thumb Sucking Habit Is Doing To Your Child

Fingers, especially the thumb is a favourite with many toddlers to put in their mouths. Studies state it to be a way by which children ease out anxiety and/or a way to satisfy the urge of hunger.

Thumb sucking is one of the most common oral habits which is seen to develop as a reflex when the baby is in the mother’s womb itself. It is actually thought to be okay as a habit till permanent teeth erupt. If it persists beyond 3-4 years of age this habit could cause significant disruption.

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What Parents Probably Know?

Most parents are aware that thumb sucking can cause buckteeth where the upper front teeth stick out. The habit of sucking their thumb is considered normal until permanent teeth start coming out.

How Do Parents Self Treat The Habit?

Many parents do not understand that they need to take professional help to break this habit and resort to things they read on the internet. Some ways in which children are forced to break their thumbsucking habit are

Children are ridiculed in front of family or siblings and/or scolded for having such a habit.
Parents often ignore it expecting their kids to grow out of the habit.
Parents apply a bitter cream or spicy paste on the thumb hoping that would create an aversion and dissuade the child from sucking on it.

Is There More To It?

When the habit persists beyond the age of 4 years, primary teeth start flaring outwards. so by the time the permanent teeth erupt in the mouth some damage is already done. Not only does the act of thumb sucking push the upper teeth outward, it also affects the lower front teeth. There is an added pressure faced by not only the mouth but the face also.

The pressure exerted while thumb sucking restricts jaw growth. There is a disparity in the alignment of the teeth overall.
Apart from being pushed outwards, teeth don’t close and the mouth stays open even at rest. There is a gap created which results in children developing speech issues.
Habits like tongue thrusting and mouth breathing may also start developing as a collateral due to thumb sucking.
An imbalance sets in between the muscles of the face. Cheek muscles are overworked due to the sucking action, which causes the upper jaws to constrict reducing space for teeth to align straight.

Is There A Natural Way To Correct This Habit?

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Yes! By channelling the child’s habit itself a natural habit correcting removable appliance can be given. Not only is the habit forgotten but also the teeth come back to normal alignment. The restricted growth of the jaw is also corrected by MyoFunctional (muscle training) therapy ensuring the child avoids braces/fixed orthodontics completely.

The habit of thumb sucking is tough on the children and parents. However, with various techniques, paediatric dentists are able to help children overcome the need to continue this habit, intercept crooked teeth and ensure a healthier lifestyle.