Thumb sucking and concerns

Babies are born with a reflex to suck any object placed in their mouth. This behaviour helps during the first few months of establishing feeding and disappears at around four months. Thumb sucking, however, is not reflexive and is believed to be a self-soothing practice.

There are usually no long-term ill-effects from thumb sucking in early childhood and most children naturally give up the habit somewhere between 2-4 years of age. However, if thumb or finger sucking continues past this age it can alter the normal growth of the jaws and cause significant misalignment of the front adult teeth as they erupt into the mouth.

Read on to explore thumb sucking prevention tips and everything you need to know about this childhood habit.

Common problems caused by thumb sucking

The following are common problems that orthodontists frequently see in children who have had this habit:

1.     Protrusive upper front teeth

This can be a simple tooth position problem, where the upper incisor (the two right at the front) teeth are tipped forward. Occasionally, the formation of the jaw can be affected, which can lead to the upper jaw and teeth protruding from the face.

2.     Tipped back lower front teeth

The pressure of the thumb forces the lower incisor teeth to tip toward the tongue.

3.     Open bite

The upper and lower front teeth do not meet when the back teeth bite together. The shape of the opening between the upper and lower front teeth may match the child’s finger or thumb exactly.

4.     Crossbite

The width of the upper jaw is too narrow for the lower jaw, so the upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly. This can occur as a result of the flexing of the cheek muscles while the child is sucking their thumb.

It is important to be careful when breaking a habit such as thumb sucking. Children often use this as an emotional crutch, and we must be sensitive to the psychology behind the habit. Punishment and nagging is generally not the best approach – patience, persistence, and encouragement are essential.

Why do some children suck their thumb?

Babies have natural sucking reflexes – even in the womb. This often causes them to suck any object that is placed in their mouth, from their own fingers and toes to toys and pacifiers. However, as children grow and their teeth begin to develop, this reflexive habit can become a method of self-soothing and comforting themselves. If the habit continues as the child ages, it can place pressure on the developing teeth and jaws and cause a range of orthodontic issues later in life.

Is thumb sucking good or bad?

Thumb sucking is not inherently bad, and if it is an occasional response to stress there may not be any damage. But when it becomes a consistent habit and they are sucking on their thumb almost constantly or with force, that’s when it can cause some orthodontic problems.   

Thumb sucking prevention can be tricky, as this reflexive response is natural in the early years. By the time you realise it has become a habit it is too late to prevent it. While they might naturally break the habit, there are some tactics you can try to help them along the way.

Here are some tips on how to stop thumb-sucking:

• Have a conversation with them about why you want them to stop this habit to help empower them to make a change.
• Rewards and encouragement such as a hug or praise can reinforce their decision to stop the habit.
• Limit nagging as a child can become defensive.
• Mark progress on a calendar for each day or week a child does not suck their thumb or finger.
• Provide a special outing or a toy as a reward.
• Give reminders e.g. place unpleasant tasting nail paint (available from chemists) on the fingers or thumb, put a band-aid over the thumb at bedtime.
• Offer distractions (e.g. toys on a car trip) to redirect them into a different activity.
• Have them wear mittens, gloves, or commercially available thumb guards during sleep.

If all the above measures prove ineffective and you are concerned your child’s thumb sucking is affecting their teeth or jaw growth, you can consult an orthodontist about potential interventions.

Early orthodontic treatment

If your child has experienced an extended thumb sucking habit or if it has already started to alter the alignment of their teeth and jaw, then early orthodontic treatment may be required.

Pre-teen treatment is usually the first phase and helps to guide the jaw’s growth pattern so that less extensive orthodontic treatment is needed to correct any bite issues during later years. It can also help to ensure that there is enough room in the mouth for permanent teeth to be placed properly as they grow in. This can help reduce crowding and further alignment issues from becoming uncomfortable for the child.

Orthodontic treatment options

The type of orthodontic treatment your child will require will depend on the development issue they have developed from this habit. Some cases may require the use of an expander plate or an antihabit plate during the first phase of their treatment, setting up their jaw for normal growth in the future and ensuring no additional orthodontic issues are formed. Their second phase of treatment as a teen may then require traditional metal braces, lingual braces or Invisalign to correct bite and jaw alignment problems, as well as straightening crooked teeth.

If you’re concerned about the effects of your child’s thumb sucking habit on their growing smile, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to assess their teeth and develop a long-term treatment plan.

Only an orthodontist will be able to properly assess their teeth and jaw to identify potential problems and develop a safe orthodontic treatment plan.

How to fix an overbite from thumb sucking

Prolonged thumb sucking will often lead to a distinct overjet of the front teeth and open bite from the pressure placed on developing teeth by the thumb. Depending on the complexity of the issue and the developing malocclusion, this may be corrected by an orthodontist using Phase One treatment methods such as a plate before the child enters their teen years.

However, more complex or severe cases may require a full course of braces to correct the issue. It is best to consult a specialist orthodontist to have them assess your child’s growth as soon as possible (between the ages of 4 – 7 if the child is persistently thumb sucking) to get an understanding of the treatments or ways to help them break the habit.

Is thumb sucking hereditary?

While there is some research into a so-called ‘thumb sucking gene’, it’s more likely that this genetic component is related to anxiety or stress responses.

How to stop thumb sucking in adults?

If thumb sucking is a concern into adulthood then you should consider some of the physical interventions, such as bad-tasting nail polish or a band-aid to help discourage you or your loved one from continuing the habit, and explore other outlets for stress and anxiety management. If you no longer suck your thumb but are experiencing any of the orthodontic effects listed above, such as a cross bite, overbite or open bite, then you should consult an orthodontist about your options.

Orthodontists are experts in diagnosing and correcting issues relating to misalignment of the teeth and jaws and can help improve the smile and bite of both children and adults. Use our Finder Tool to search for a specialist orthodontist near you.