Effects of Thumb-Sucking on Teeth

A baby sucking on their thumb is natural. It is a soothing technique that can help babies sleep or calm themselves down. While it is a great tool for babies and children early on, long-term thumb-sucking can cause issues for a child’s teeth and jaw. Learn more about the side effects of thumb-sucking.  

Side effects of thumb-sucking

There are many side effects of thumb-sucking on teeth and beyond. Some of the most common side effects of thumb-sucking include:

Misaligned teeth

Thumb-sucking often leads to misaligned teeth and malocclusion. Malocclusion is when a mouth is closed and the top teeth do not lay just over the top of your bottom teeth without a gap. An overbite or an open bite are forms of malocclusion attributed to long-term thumb-sucking.  

Overbite

An overbite is a malocclusion where the top teeth jut out further than your lower front teeth when your mouth is closed. The top teeth tend to be directed slightly outward as well. This type of malocclusion often affects a child’s smile and can even affect their face shape.

Open bite

An open bite is when both the top teeth and bottom teeth are directed outward toward your lips. When the mouth is closed, the top and bottom teeth do not connect at all.

Roof of the mouth issues

Pressure from a thumb against the roof of a child’s mouth can lead to a high narrow arch of the mouth’s palate or roof. Another possible issue is that the roof of the mouth can become sensitive due to the thumb often being there.

Speech impediments

The misalignment of teeth from thumb-sucking can lead to speech impediments. Certain speech sounds are created based on the location of our tongue against our teeth. If a child’s tongue does not touch their teeth due to a malocclusion, they may speak with a lisp or may not be able to speak clearly. 

How long does a child usually suck their thumb?

Babies sometimes stop sucking their thumb on their own as early as 6 to 7 months. Some children naturally stop sucking their thumb when they are older between 2 and 4. It is common for children to go back to thumb-sucking from time to time as well.

When should I make my child stop sucking their thumb?

If a child sucks their thumb past the age of 5, or roughly the time their permanent teeth come in, it can largely affect their teeth and even the roof of their mouth. Most dentists recommend a child stop sucking their thumb long before this point though and would recommend actively trying to have your child stop sucking their thumb around the age of 3. Thumb-sucking past the age of 3 can change how the jaw grows and lead to the misaligned teeth we mentioned above. 

How can I get my child to stop sucking on their thumb?

Each child is unique so you will need to find what works best for them. Some suggestions include:

Positive reinforcement

Praising your child when they take their thumb out of their mouth or when they are choosing not to suck on their thumb. Positive reinforcement can also be in the form of stickers or something small your child enjoys.

Identify triggers

Thumb-sucking can be seen as a safety net for children when they are anxious or stressed. Determining what is causing these feelings and trying to prevent them from occurring can help cut down on thumb-sucking. But this isn’t always realistic so coming up with a different coping mechanism such as a stuffed animal to eliminate thumb-sucking would be wise.

Visit your dentist

If you are concerned about your child’s thumb-sucking, make an appointment with a dentist. A dentist telling your child they need to stop sucking their thumb might be more effective than hearing it from mom and dad.

Contact one of Fortson Dentistry’s locations today to schedule a dental appointment for your child. We can evaluate their teeth and bite to ensure they are not at risk for side effects of thumb-sucking.