Thumb sucking starts early for many children, and in the beginning, it’s often harmless. Over time, though, this small habit can start to shape the way the teeth and jaws grow. The team at Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics often hears questions from parents about how thumb sucking can affect their child’s smile and bite. It’s a topic that raises real concerns, especially once permanent teeth begin to come in and changes in alignment become more noticeable. Let’s break it down.
Why Do Children Suck Their Thumbs?
Thumb sucking is as natural to babies as giggles and naps. It’s their primary coping mechanism as they begin to experience a lot of things for the very first time! Whenever they feel anxious, nervous, angry, or any other “big feelings,” thumb sucking is how they self-soothe, relax, and calm down.
With benefits like helping your baby fall asleep, reducing fussiness, and providing a temporary distraction, thumb sucking (and pacifiers, which serve the same function) can be incredibly helpful for parents during a child’s early life.
How Does Thumb Sucking Affect Growing Smiles?
Most children stop sucking their thumbs on their own before age three. Some children need a little help (see “How To Stop Thumb Sucking?” below). And that’s good, because that’s the sweet spot. That’s right when thumb sucking can start to pose issues for developing smiles.
Frequent thumb sucking applies gentle but persistent force to the teeth, gums, and bones of the upper jaw. Over time, this pressure can cause noticeable changes to the shape of the mouth and the position of the teeth. Here are some potential risks, also known as malocclusion or misalignment:
- An Open Bite: The front teeth don’t meet when the mouth is closed
- A Crossbite: The upper teeth fit inside, or behind, the lower teeth
- An Underbite: The lower front teeth stick out in front of the upper front teeth
- An Increased Overbite: The upper front teeth vertically overlap the lower teeth past the standard amount
- An Increased Overjet: The upper front teeth are horizontally too far in front of the lower teeth
- Upper Jaw Influence: Prolonged thumb sucking can affect the shape of the upper jaw, which can complicate breathing, as well as create functional and aesthetic concerns.
These issues might not be noticeable right away, but as your child grows, they’ll likely become more prominent. If your little one has a hard time giving up the thumb, consult a Citrus Heights orthodontist for better insight into your child’s needs! The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be seen for an initial consultation around or before age seven, so you’re not too early, even if it feels that way. (Learn More: “What Age Should Your Child See An Orthodontist?”)
How Can These Malocclusions Affect Your Child?
Unfortunately, if your child does develop an issue with their smile, the consequences won’t always stop at being simply cosmetic.
As kids get older, alignment issues caused by prolonged thumb sucking can affect their confidence and self-esteem. They may feel embarrassed to smile, speak, or eat in front of others, especially if they’re being teased. These insecurities can impact how they interact at school, with friends, or even at home. Over time, that emotional stress can take a real toll on their mental well-being.
Beyond that, misalignments can change how your child’s bite functions. This can make eating, talking, oral hygiene, breathing, and swallowing challenging and, in severe cases, painful or uncomfortable. Children don’t always know how to articulate what is wrong, so let’s check out some of the warning signs of a malocclusion:
- Trouble sleeping
- Mouth breathing
- Sleep apnea
- Digestive issues or trouble swallowing
- Frustration with oral hygiene
- Frequent oral health problems
- Pain or discomfort when opening and closing the jaw
- Headaches or earaches
- Teeth grinding
- Increasing risked of choking
- Picky eating
Even if your child’s Citrus Heights pediatric dentist or pediatrician has not recommended or referred you to a Citrus Heights orthodontist, you should still bring your child in for evaluation. You might be surprised at how many symptoms can be traced back to needing braces!
How To Stop Thumb Sucking?
If you can help your child kick the habit, you might be able to prevent all of or minimize the severity of these common smile issues. But how do you help a child quit something that calms them? It takes some patience and flexibility, but it’s possible. Here are some tips:
- Positive Reinforcement: Offer praise or small rewards when your child avoids sucking their thumb at a time when they normally would.
- Gentle Reminders: Create a signal for when your child starts to do it unconsciously. This way, your child doesn’t feel embarrassed in public or feel like they’re in trouble.
- Substitution Method: Whenever your child feels like sucking on their thumb, try to engage them in a fun activity that uses their hands. As they do the activity, their desire to suck on their thumb will hopefully dissolve, and they will realize that they did not need either habit after all! If they suck their thumb to sleep, finding an item they are willing to stick with might take a few tries, but it will be worth it
- Teach New Self-Soothing Techniques: Identify why your child is stressed or anxious, and talk them through the feeling or introduce other, healthy ways to deal with uncomfortable emotions. This method can have long-lasting benefits beyond the alignment of their teeth.
- Reduce Access: Consider covering their thumbs with gloves, bandages, or baby thumb covers so that they cannot suck their thumb.
If home strategies aren’t enough, talk to your child’s dentist at Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. We can recommend other methods, including thumb guards or behavior management tools, that are gentle and age-appropriate.
How To Treat “Thumb Sucking Teeth”?
Once the thumb sucking habit has stopped, treatment depends on how much the bite or alignment has been affected. In some cases, the teeth begin to shift back naturally as your child grows. Other times, more help is needed to prevent long-term problems. This might involve early orthodontic care, also known as interceptive treatment, phase one, or two-phase treatment.
The treatment plan we create for your child will be customized to their specific needs. We mightuse one or more orthodontic appliances, but not limited to a palate expander (to widen the upper jaw), full or partial metal braces, and Invisalign First aligners, to help their smile grow properly.
Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Is Here For All Your Child’s Smile Needs
Thumb sucking is a harmless habit that can have big consequences if families aren’t careful. The team at Weideman Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is ready to support your family with thoughtful care, expert guidance, and a friendly environment that helps you and your child feel at ease. Contact us at our Citrus Heights office today to schedule an appointment for your child!