Thumb sucking is bad for your teeth. Dentists and orthodontists will tell you how this habit can change the shape of your palate and upper jaw, tilting your teeth and causing a host of dental issues. Some people have no problem ditching the thumb-sucking habit, while others continue it to adulthood.
What is the psychology behind thumbsucking? We know that with thumb sucking, teeth are at risk of being pushed out of place. When is the best time to break the thumb-sucking habit? Do you know how to stop a baby from sucking their thumb? Is adult thumb sucking really a thing? Woodhill Dental Specialties has the answers!
What is the psychology behind sucking a thumb? It’s different for infants, children, and adults. Infants use thumbsucking to develop their feeding skills, sucking reflexes, and mouth movement instincts. It can also be a comfort mechanism, reminding them of the enjoyment of eating and bonding with their mother.
That comfort extends to toddlers and young children who suck their thumbs. For a baby, sucking a thumb relaxes the child, which is why you often see them sucking their thumb at night. However, that psychology changes as the child sucking their thumb becomes an adult.
An estimated 1 in 10 adults suck their thumbs. Most adults who suck their thumbs simply never broke the habit as a child. As with other bad habits, such as smoking, the longer a person goes without breaking the habit, the harder the habit is to break.
While studies continue on the psychology of thumb-sucking, dentists and orthodontists agree that the habit should be broken as soon as possible, especially before it becomes long term.
Why is thumb sucking bad, and what is the damage to teeth from thumb sucking? The thumb is pressed against the palate (roof of the mouth). The pressure pushes the center of the palate upward and distorts the rest of the upper jaw.
This distortion causes your teeth to move forward and outward. This creates an overbite, an open bite, or both. Sometimes called “buck teeth,” an open bite can make it difficult to bite and chew. The raised palate can also narrow nasal passages and make breathing more difficult.
The lower teeth can also be damaged from thumbsucking. The outside of the thumb presses against the lower teeth and pushes them down into the gums or inward toward the tongue.
A bad bite can make chewing more difficult, which can lead to digestive problems. The narrowed nasal passages can cause breathing issues, snoring, and even sleep apnea. This can disrupt your sleep, which can lead to further health issues.
Good oral health is vital to good overall health. The key to good oral health is a good bite. That’s why it’s vital to stop a thumb-sucking habit. It’s also important to repair your teeth after thumb sucking. You will likely need orthodontic treatment using braces, lingual braces, or clear aligners.
The American Dental Association recommends that children stop sucking their thumb by age 3 at the latest. What’s the best way to stop sucking a thumb? Some children can stop on their own just by being told why it’s important that they stop and how it is a habit usually reserved for infants and toddlers.
Don’t be confrontational or demanding; it could cause the child to reinforce the habit instead of stopping thumb-sucking. Instead, try gentle reminders and positive reinforcement. Put a gold star or sticker on a calendar for each day the child goes without thumb sucking. After a week, give the child a page to color or take a trip to the park.
Older children and adults may need much more help to eliminate their habit. Your dentist or orthodontist may need to intervene with a thumb-sucking appliance such as a tongue crib. This device is bonded to the back teeth, and a metal cage holds the tongue away from the front teeth. The crib also prevents the patient from sucking their thumb.
Woodhill Dental Specialties has several options to help you stop sucking your thumb. We provide options judgment-free, so whatever your age, don’t hesitate to ask us for help.
There are several ideas out there on how to stop thumb sucking at home. Some ideas are better than others. For example, it’s not a good idea to put hot sauce on your child’s thumb. There is a thumb sucking nail polish that is non-toxic and creates a bitter taste if the thumb is sucked.
Other ideas to stop thumb sucking includes wearing a glove, a bandage, or a sock on your hands.
What happens to teeth after thumb sucking? Treatment may not be needed if the habit is eliminated early enough. Otherwise, your teeth may need treatment to keep them straight and healthy.
Woodhill Dental Specialties will examine your teeth and recommend whether you need orthodontic treatment. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children be evaluated for orthodontic issues by age 7.
Woodhill Dental Specialties can provide orthodontic treatment for those who need to fix their teeth after thumbsucking. Our braces and clear aligners can fix your overbite or open bite and restore your smile.
Thumb sucking is a bad habit, but it may also be a hard habit to break. There are resources available to help you end this habit and keep your teeth from being damaged.
Woodhill Dental Specialties can help. We can recommend the best way to end the habit and provide orthodontic treatment if necessary. Start a virtual consult to find out how Woodhill Dental Specialties can help restore your smile after thumb-sucking.
This site’s strategy, design, photo & video were created by the marginally-above-average folks @ Clear Partnering Group.
