Do you have a child at home who is prone to frequently sucking their thumb for comfort? This behavior is considered a healthy and normal coping mechanism for younger children, who might have no other means of self-soothing when they feel anxious.
However, if their habit continues after they’ve turned four or five years old, it can potentially harm their smile. Continue reading to learn 3 issues that might develop from prolonged thumb- or pacifier-sucking and how your child’s pediatric dentist can help!
Concern #1: Bite Misalignment
Developing a bite misalignment, like a pronounced overbite, is one of the most common issues that occurs in kids who continue to suck their thumb or use a pacifier past their toddler years. The frequent force of suction in their mouth can eventually take its toll and affect the position of their teeth or the alignment of their jaw. This can lead to gaps in certain areas or cause their upper and lower arches to come together incorrectly when they close their mouth.
If you’re struggling to wean your little one off their pacifier or can’t convince them to keep their thumb out of their mouth, you can contact your family’s pediatric dentist for suggestions. They might have helpful tips that have worked for other patients and can provide a checkup to monitor your little one’s condition.
Concern #2: Speech Problems
Did you know that kids who develop bite or tooth misalignments are also more likely to experience challenges with speech development? We learn to pronounce certain words by pressing our tongue against our teeth in a specific way, but if your child has a malocclusion, overcrowding, or gaps in their grin, they might struggle to form the right sounds. This can lead to a lisp or slur, especially with “s”, “z”, “l”, and “r” sounds.
Depending on the severity of your child’s condition, your pediatric dentist might recommend Invisalign or refer them to an orthodontist to help reposition their teeth or provide oral appliances that can adjust their bite alignment.
Concern #3: Worn Down Enamel
Although enamel is the hardest substance made by the human body, frequent thumb-sucking can potentially wear it down unevenly or prematurely. You might not think this is a big deal for your child since their primary teeth will eventually fall out anyway to make room for their permanent pearly whites.
However, your kid is unfortunately more vulnerable to cavities, injuries, and other issues in the meantime. Not only that, but tooth decay is contagious and can impact their permanent teeth before they arrive, so preventing it is essential to safeguard their grin.
It can be challenging to discourage your child from indulging in this chronic habit, but your pediatric dentist is happy to provide suggestions or treatments as needed to preserve their oral health!
Meet the Author
Dr. Ramu Vuppala has more than 20 years of experience helping kids from 0 to 18 years old improve their lives by enhancing their smiles. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and is certified in various topics, such as level 2 sedation, Invisalign, and laser dentistry. He combines a caring approach with state-of-the-art technology to provide a full menu of services to meet even the most unique needs. If your child is struggling with thumb sucking, you can request an appointment on the website or call (432) 520-5437.