Thumb sucking – the effects may be long term!

Thumb sucking starts in the womb. It continues once the baby is born as it reminds the child of the mum’s nipple. The problem arises once teeth start to come through after six months. Persistent thumb or finger sucking becomes a comfort habit which can be hard to break as the baby gets older. Babies’ bones are very malleable during their development. The upper jaw, the maxilla, in early develop has a front section called the pre-maxilla. This disappears with age, but thumb sucking can cause it to change shape, and be moulded more forward to the normal arch of the teeth. This can cause the following:

Bones and teeth

• This then causes the upper teeth to be pushed apart to form spaces and to tip forward.
• The lower teeth are push in the opposite direction and lean in towards the tongue.
• The shape of the face can be changed and the growth pattern of the jaws altered.

Swallowing

• In severe cases lips may not come together when swallowing. A seal is not able to be formed and swallowing may become compromised.

Speech

• A lisp may occur as the tongue can’t sit behind the top front teeth properly.

The bite

• Localised crowding may occur and the alignment of the jaws may be altered.
• The front teeth do not meet anymore, causing unusual chewing patterns. Orthodontic treatment may need to done.

Mouth breathing

• The habit may cause a new habit of mouth breathing instead of breathing through the nose. Mouth breathing dries out saliva. Saliva protects teeth and aids in swallowing.

The solution

STOP IT! I know it’s easier said than done. Most children stop the habit between two & fours years, but the sooner the better. The effects occur as early as 12 months. If it can be stopped early, the body can self correct with growth. Below are some suggestions that may help stop the habit:

• Nail paint – This has an unpleasant taste and is available from the chemist.
• Wear a glove – to discourage the habit.
• Place elastoplast – which is an adhesive band-aid cut from a roll, and place over the thumb.
• Encourage bonding with a special toy.
• Offer rewards for stopping the habit – not sweets!
• Provide distractions by encouraging playing with toys or cuddling them till they fall asleep.
• Use a dummy – A dummy also can cause similar problems to thumb sucking but a dummy can be thrown away, a thumb is for life!

It’s important to seek advice early rather than later!

Next week: The Dummy – and how to get rid of it!