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 Why
Do Children Suck Their Thumbs?
Children
suck on things because sucking is one of a baby's natural
instincts. Sucking makes them feel secure and content,
and may induce drowsiness. Prolonged thumbsucking (or
pacifier sucking) interferes with the proper growth
of the mouth and the alignment of the teeth. This improper
development, if not corrected, will change the appearance
of the child's face.
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When
Should Children Stop Sucking Their Thumbs?
Children
should have ceased sucking between the ages of 2 to 4. If
you are having trouble breaking your child's habit, try to:
- Comfort
him if he is feeling insecure. Sometimes children suck their
thumb for a sense of security.
- Instead
of scolding your child for thumbsucking, praise him when
he doesn't suck his thumb, especially during difficult periods.
- Explain
to older children the dangers of thumbsucking and involve
them in choosing the method to break the habit.
If
you need help stopping your child's thumbsucking habit, we
can provide you with a patient-friendly dental appliance that
will break the habit. Contact
Us for more information and an appointment.
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  Open
Bite:
An
open bite often results from thumbsucking or prolonged use
of a pacifier. If the open bite is not corrected early, the
child may develop a habit of deviated swallowing and/or anterior
tongue thrust. (This is when the child presses against the
back of his teeth repeatedly and subconsciously with his tongue).
These habits lead to further dental problems and make correction
of the open bite more difficult.
The
best cure for open bite is to prevent it in the first place
by eliminating thumbsucking and the use of pacifiers as early
as possible for your child. Untreated,
open bite can lead to facial malformation, abnormal speech
patterns and significant orthodontic
complications.
Thumbsucking
Treatment
Depending
on the age of the child and the frequency of their thumbsucking,
Dr. Watts
will recommended the appropriate treatment.
Sometime
a “hand trainer” that covers the thumb and prevents
the child from being able to “suck” is all that
is needed.
In more
advanced cases, Dr. Watts
may recommend a fixed appliance for short period of time.
The appliance is not uncomfortable and looks similar to a
retainer.
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