Effects of Thumb Sucking in Kids

Thumb sucking is an extremely common habit among infants and toddlers, and for most of them, it's fairly harmless. Babies often begin non-nutritive sucking in the womb. It's a reflexive behavior that brings a positive flow of endorphins and other feel-good chemicals. However, if the habit continues throughout the early childhood years, it can inhibit socialization, negatively affect self-esteem and influence oral health. Pediatric dentistry can help parents better understand consequences and solutions to long-term thumb sucking.

Prolonged thumb-sucking past the age of four can lead to abnormal skeletal, muscular, and nasal cavity growth and development. The palate may narrow, which leads to narrower sinuses and a shallow nasal cavity. Children who suck their thumbs may also suffer from misaligned teeth, which can affect their speech, tooth eruption and eating. The longer and more vigorous the thumb-sucking habit is, the more damage that can be done.

Parents of children who suck their thumbs have options to help their children give up the habit. Although the urge to cajole and punish the child into giving up thumb sucking may be tempting, it will not be successful without the child's cooperation. A reward system that includes plenty of positive reinforcement, respect and encouragement can help the child more successfully kick the habit. Nighttime sucking can be addressed through special appliances, gloves or finger splints.

Once the thumb-sucking habit has been eliminated, children may need orthodontic treatment to address any malocclusions that are present. If you have questions or concerns about your child's oral development, contact our dentist office today to schedule a consultation with our dentist in Los Angeles.