Recognizing The Benefits of Dental Implants

Do you have a child that sucks their thumb? Are you worried about the potential dental issues this could cause? Thumb sucking is a common habit among children under the age of 6, but if it is allowed to continue, it could cause immense damage to your child's teeth. This article will discuss why children form this habit, the consequences, and how to get them to stop.

Why They Do It

Most children develop the habit of thumb sucking. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that about 80% of infants suck their thumbs. In the womb, infants have a natural tendency to suck. It is usually done when the child is sleepy, stressed, or hungry. In certain situations, it's done because of an emotional disorder such as anxiety.

The Consequences

In most cases, sucking the thumb does no harm to the baby's teeth. However, if the thumb sucking continues after the permanent teeth grow in, the habit must be broken. The consequences of thumb sucking vary depending on how intensely your child sucks their thumb. The harder they do it, the worse it gets. When your child sucks their thumb, they are applying pressure to the sides of their upper jaw and the roof of their mouth. When this is done, it makes the upper jaw become narrower. This prevents the top and bottom teeth from meeting. This issue is called malocclusion. This condition can result in speech problems like lisping.

Buck teeth are another consequence of thumb sucking. This happens because the child pushing their top teeth away from each other. Just like malocclusion, buck teeth tend to cause speech impediments as well. If your child breaks this habit, the progression will cease. It is very likely that your child will need braces to fix the damage done.

Breaking The Habit

Most children tend to stop sucking their thumbs on their own. If your child does not stop sucking their thumb by the age of 6, you will need to do something about it. Here are a few tips:

• Wrap your child's thumb with a bandage or cloth. This will remind them to refrain from sucking their thumb.
• If your child sucks their thumb, ask them if they realize what they are doing. Typically, the child won't know they are doing it.
• Use positive reinforcement. If your child has gone a long time without sucking their thumb, give them praise.

Thumb sucking can be a very harmful habit. If your child is having trouble breaking this habit, consult with a dentist like James Tritton DDS PC who can provide you with other options.