The Dental Blog

End Those Bad Oral Habits: Physical Effects from Thumb Sucking

It is very common for children to pick up the bad habit of sucking their thumbs. It calms them and keeps them quiet…They enjoy it. Sometimes the habit fades as they grow older, but for others… it is a little more difficult. At the moment it may seem harmless, but in the longevity of things, thumb sucking is very bad for the overall oral development.

Constantly sucking your thumb causes pressure that makes changes to your jaw.
Here are 4 examples caused by thumb sucking:

1. Buck Teeth: Front upper teeth bulge out over the lower teeth, also known as an overbite. FIG. 1
2. Open-bite: Teeth do not align properly when the jaws are closed. FIG. 2
3. Cross Bite:  The upper teeth fit inside the bottom teeth when the jaws are closed. FIG. 3
   
4. Tongue Thrust: The tongue overhangs through the front teeth during swallowing, speech, and while the tongue is at rest. Could lead to speech impediments. FIG. 4

It is healthier not to have children start sucking their thumb at all… We know, easier said than done. WE CAN HELP! We offer different treatment options to break the habits. Don’t wait until age 7 to see an orthodontist, by then the damage is already done. See us now so we can break the habit before real changes occur. Schedule your Free Consultation with Dental Care Orthodontics our Orthodontic department.