Thumb sucking at a young age, particularly before children begin teething, is completely natural and will not harm your child’s teeth. In fact, thumb sucking is actually okay as long as the behavior is stopped before a child’s permanent teeth begin to come in. After the age of five or six, thumb sucking and pacifier use can begin to affect the position of a child’s teeth. Prolonged thumb sucking can change the position of a child’s teeth, resulting in malocclusion of the teeth.

1. HOW THUMB SUCKING
AFFECTS TEETH
ALIGNMENT

2. Thumb sucking is not
uncommon.
Many babies and young children
suck their thumbs or fingers.
This is actually a natural
behavior.
Babies begin to suck their
thumbs in the womb, and they
continue the practice after birth
because it makes them feel

3. The American Dental Association explains that “placing a
thumb or another finger in the mouth provides some children
with a sense of security during difficult periods, such as
when they are separated from their parents, surrounded by
strangers or in an unfamiliar environment.
Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may also help induce
sleep. For this reason, young children may suck their
thumbs in the evening or other times when they are tired.”

4. Thumb sucking at a young age, particularly before children
begin teething, is completely natural and will not harm your
child’s teeth.
In fact, thumb sucking is actually okay as long as the
behavior is stopped before a child’s permanent teeth begin to
come in.
After the age of five or six, thumb sucking and pacifier use
can begin to affect the position of a child’s teeth.
Prolonged thumb sucking can change the position of a child’s

5. Malocclusion, according to Medline Plus, “refers to the alignment of
the teeth and the way that the upper and lower teeth fit together.”
Thumb sucking can cause crooked teeth, overcrowding, or a bite
that doesn’t fit together properly.
Ideally, the top teeth should evenly and neatly overlap the bottom
teeth, but if thumb sucking has affected the alignment of the teeth
then there will a gap between the teeth.
Over time, prolonged thumb sucking can push the teeth out and at
that point orthodontic treatment will be needed to correct the
problem.

6. But thumb sucking can affect more than just a child’s teeth.
Prolonged thumb sucking can alter the shape of the roof of a
child’s mouth.
This will effect a child’s speaking voice and cause difficulty in
pronouncing and articulating certain letters.

7. Certain kinds of thumb sucking are worse than others.
The American Dental Association says that “Children who rest their
thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to experience
difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs.
When an active thumb sucker removes his or her thumb from the
mouth, a popping sound often is heard. Some aggressive thumb
suckers may cause problems with their primary (baby) teeth.”

8. So what can you do if your children continue to suck
their thumbs after the age of five or six?
The answer is that there a lot of options to help break
this habit.
Weaning a child from thumb sucking can be difficult,
but it is certainly possible.

9. • Never scold children for thumb sucking. The worst thing you can do
is make your child feel bad for thumb sucking. Instead offer the
child positive praise or a small reward for occasions when he or
she doesn’t suck the thumb.
• Some children suck their thumbs to soothe anxiety. Identify the
source of your child’s anxiety comfort your child, and, if you can,
stop the mood from developing in the first place. If the anxiety is
unavoidable, help your child find a more healthy way to alleviate his
or her anxiety.
• Reward your child for avoiding thumb sucking behavior, particularly
during a difficult or anxious occasion.

10. • Make an appointment with your family dentist, so that he or she
can explain the effects of thumb sucking on their teeth.
• If the above tips are not effective, then try bandaging the thumb or
putting a sock on your child’s hand at night (a time when thumb
sucking often happens) to remind the child of the habit.
• And if all else fails, go see your child’s dentist. Your dentist can
prescribe a mouth appliance or bitter medication to coat the thumb.

11. CONTACT US
Mark C. Marchbanks, D.D.S.
2624 Matlock Road Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76015
Phone: (817) 261-2747
http://arlingtontexasdentist.net/