Thumb-sucking is a common habit among young children. It may seem like a harmless act of self-comfort, but it can lead to dental misalignments and other oral issues. In such cases, once they enter their teen years or even adulthood, orthodontic solutions like clear aligners may be necessary for correcting thumb-sucking teeth damage.
According to the Victorian Department of Health’s Better Health Channel, “sucking on fingers or thumbs is healthy and normal when children are very young, but can cause problems if it continues. Most children stop somewhere between two and four years of age.”
Does thumb-sucking damage teeth?
Long-term thumb-sucking teeth damage occurs because the action of sucking on a thumb, finger, or dummy can place pressure on a child’s gums and soft palate. This can subtly change the shape of the mouth and lead to malocclusions, or dental misalignments.
Just because your child has a tendency to thumbsuck, their teeth aren’t necessarily doomed to misalignments that will require straightening either immediately or later in life. The earlier you help them kick this habit, the more likely the problem will correct itself naturally as your child grows.
Thumb-sucking teeth damage can also come in the form of wounds or infections of the mouth. As it’s unlikely your kid will have the discipline to wash their hands before each instance of thumb-sucking, chances of inserting dirty digits into their mouths are high with this habit.
Sharp nails can also cause wounds that can get infected, considering the high amount of bacteria that occurs naturally in the mouth.
The effects of thumb-sucking on your teeth and bite
Image caption: Crooked teeth and misaligned bites are a common result of persistent thumb-sucking thanks to the pressure this places on kids’ mouths as they grow.
How does the cause-and-effect relationship between thumb sucking and teeth manifest? Below are a few teeth alignment issues commonly linked to the habit:
Overbite and/or overjet
Both these conditions are called “buck teeth,” a dental misalignment where the top front teeth push out past the bottom front teeth. With an overbite, the top front teeth come down or overlap over the bottom teeth. With an overjet, the top teeth push forward, sometimes protruding beyond the bottom lip.
Crooked teeth
Crooked or misaligned teeth can develop in different ways – with teeth appearing bent, overlapping, overcrowding, or protruding, among other things.
The Australian Society of Orthodontists mentions tipped-back lower front teeth as one common problem caused by thumb-sucking. Here, the pressure of thumb-sucking pushes the lower incisors to angle inward toward the tongue.
Open bite
An open bite occurs when a gap between your upper and lower teeth remains even when your mouth is closed. Thumb-sucking can lead to an anterior open bite, where the gap between rows appears at the front of the mouth rather than toward the back.
According to the Australian Society of Orthodontists, this sort of thumb-sucking teeth damage may even see the gap between the upper and lower teeth exactly matching the shape of the child’s finger.
Crossbite
With a crossbite, the bottom edge of the top row of teeth and the top edge of the bottom row don’t meet correctly. You may notice this if any upper teeth sit inside the bottom row when smiling. A crossbite can occur at the front or sides of the mouth. It can result in difficulty eating, receding gums, dental fractures, and toothaches.
When children suck their thumb, this can flex the cheek muscles and result in narrowing the upper jaw, causing a posterior crossbite.
What to do if you notice bite issues in thumb-sucking kids
You may not have to worry about thumb-sucking and teeth damage with younger kids, at least not immediately. The habit often naturally disappears between the ages of two and four. And kids who quit thumb-sucking at a young age have time for natural growth to correct any damage caused by it.
If you notice the habit persisting, your first priority is to encourage your kids to stop. Next, it’s a good idea to watch for any of the bite issues, with the help of regular visits to your family dentist. Finally, persistent bite issues may require orthodontic treatment, especially in young adults.
How to discourage kids’ thumbsucking
Thumb-, finger-, or dummy-sucking habits should naturally clear up as your child leaves their toddler years. If not, your intervention may be needed to prevent crooked teeth.
To help children kick this habit and hopefully prevent long-term thumb-sucking teeth damage, the Better Health Channel recommends the following:
- Show your support.
If your child is trying to stop thumb-sucking, praise or reward them for making the effort. Rewards can be as simple as a hug or pat on the back. The important thing is to practise positive reinforcement.
- Distract them.
Thumb-sucking is often an absent-minded habit, meaning your child may not even realise they’re doing it. If you catch them thumb-sucking, distract them with toys, hugs and cuddles, or other activities like a hand game or arts and crafts.
If your child thumbsucks while asleep, try inserting a stuffed toy for them to hug to see if that keeps their hands away from their mouth. A specialist may also recommend a myofunctional teeth trainer (a specific dental appliance) to discourage the behaviour.
- Reward progress.
Establish a reward program as your child goes for longer periods without thumbsucking. Depending on the milestone crossed, these can be everything from a favourite food to a toy to a planned outing. For example, you can start with mini rewards for a thumbsuck-free day. Offer a bigger reward for a week, and something even better if they go a whole month without sucking on their thumbs, fingers, or pacifier.
- Use verbal and physical reminders.
You can call your child’s attention to the habit when you catch them thumbsucking, provided they’ve agreed to try to stop – though it’s important to remember not to cross the line into nagging and to phrase this as a request rather than an order or demand.
You can also add physical reminders like a glove, adhesive bandage around the thumb at bedtime, or unpleasant-tasting nail paint, which will change the feel and taste of the thumb and hopefully jolt them out of indulging in the habit.
You may also want to consult a specialist if your child’s thumb-sucking habit persists. A study in the International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health showed that a certified orofacial myologist’s treatment program could quickly and efficiently address thumb-sucking habits. The study emphasised the use of positive behaviour modification techniques.
However, because thumb-sucking can often be your child’s means of self-comfort against stress or anxiety, you may need to delve into the psychology behind the habit.
The Australian Society of Orthodontists cautions against punishment or nagging and suggests taking a positive approach to help your child break the habit.
Orthodontic solutions for thumb-sucking teeth and bite issues
Should you or your dentist notice bite issues or malocclusions in your kids, you may want to explore options for orthodontic treatments to correct your child’s bite or teeth alignment.
For a preliminary check, you can take an online smile assessment. However, consulting a dentist or orthodontist would be the best way to choose your child’s teeth aligner.
They’ll be able to diagnose the specific dental issues that need correction and suggest appropriate treatment based on that diagnosis and your child’s lifestyle and personality. Some treatments may also only be necessary or recommended for teenagers and older.
Invisible dental aligners are one option with the advantage of being discreet and comfortable. They are especially good options for teenagers who may be insecure about not having a perfect smile.
ClearCorrect aligners are custom-made for each patient using a unique, resilient tri-layer material called ClearQuartz. Because they are clear and removable, this treatment option will have a lower impact on your smile and lifestyle than traditional metal braces or retainers.
Does your child tend to suck their thumb, fingers, or use a pacifier? If it’s early days yet, there’s no need to worry too much. You can gently wean them off the habit to avoid thumb-sucking teeth damage and keep their bright, confident smile as they grow.
References:
Ahmed, Z.N., Hussin, A.M., Alanazi, A.F., Alhuraish, A. (2021, January). Etiology of thumb sucking habit and its effect on developing malocclusion. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 8(2). DOI:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210017
Australian Government Department of Social Services. (n.d.). Preschooler teeth issue. RaisingChildren.net.au
Australian Society of Orthodontists. (2024, September 5). Thumb sucking and concerns. Orthodontics Australia.
Better Health Channel, Government of Victoria Department of Health. (n.d.). Thumb sucking. betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
Ahmed, Z.N., Hussin, A.M., Alanazi, A.F., Alhuraish, A. (2021, January). Etiology of thumb sucking habit and its effect on developing malocclusion. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 8(2). DOI:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20210017
Green, S. E. (2010). Confirmational study: a positive-based thumb and finger sucking elimination program. International Journal of Orofacial Myology, 36(1), 44-59. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52010/ijom.2010.36.1.5
Gutierrez, D.S., & Carugno, P. (2023, May 8). Excessive gingival display. National Library of Medicine – National Center for Biotechnology Information. StatPearls Publishing. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
Mayo Clinic. (2022, September 30). Thumb sucking: Help your child break the habit. MayoClinic.org.
