Thumb Sucking and Oral Health
If you’re reading this blog post, you have probably noticed that your child has been sucking their thumb most of the time. And as a parent, you are worried if this is good or bad.
Babies and young kids often like to suck their thumbs. Most of the time, this habit is safe when it is done to feel better. However, if thumb sucking is prolonged, it can potentially have negative effects on your child’s oral health.
As a parent, understanding the impact of prolonged thumb sucking and learning how to address this habit is essential. Here, we’ll walk you through the oral issues associated with thumb sucking and how to best help your child.
- Dental Misalignment: Misalignment of teeth is one of the primary concerns associated with prolonged thumb sucking. The pressure exerted continuously by the thumb can cause the upper front teeth to move forward while the lower front teeth to move backward. This may result in an open bite or an overbite, in which the upper and lower teeth do not correctly meet. In order to correct dental misalignment, orthodontic intervention, such as braces or other orthodontic appliances, may be necessary.
- Speech Impediments: Thumb sucking may also have an impact on speech development. The presence of the thumb in the mouth interferes with proper tongue positioning during speech creation. As a result, your child, after sucking their thumb for long periods of time, may acquire speech impairments, such as lisping or trouble pronouncing specific consonants. To address these difficulties and encourage healthy speech development, early intervention by a speech therapist may be required.
- Palate Shape: Thumb sucking over an extended period of time might change the curvature of the palate, which is the roof of the mouth. Thumb pressure may cause the palate to grow smaller and higher. This change in palate shape might disrupt the natural development of dental arches, possibly resulting in malocclusions and difficulty with appropriate tooth alignment.
- Thumb Infections: If thumb sucking continues until the age at which permanent teeth begin to emerge, the persistent wetness and warmth in the mouth provide an excellent habitat for bacterial development. This raises the likelihood of thumb sucking dermatitis, a condition in which the skin surrounding the thumb becomes red, inflamed, and susceptible to infection. Bacterial infections may cause painful sores or blisters in extreme situations. Maintaining proper oral hygiene, such as frequent handwashing and keeping the thumb clean, may aid in the prevention of these illnesses.
- Emotional and Psychological Impact: Aside from the physical consequences, prolonged thumb sucking may have emotional and psychological consequences for your child. As they grow aware of their habit and its possible implications, social stigma, peer pressure, and self-esteem difficulties may occur. As a parent, you may help your child overcome this habit by giving support and empathy while gently guiding them.
Contact a dental team in Calgary, AB
While thumb sucking is a natural habit in infants and young children, understanding its impact on oral health is essential. Early intervention and guidance from dental professionals can help children overcome thumb sucking and maintain optimal oral health. Contact Embrace Dental Care today at