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The Problems with Thumb Sucking

We’re guessing that, like many other parents, you are concerned about your child’s thumb sucking habit. The act is very natural for a child and many children start when they are in the womb. You may be concerned  if it is harmful, at what age should they stop or what could be the long-term effects if they don’t stop.

At least you can rest assured that sucking is one of an infant’s natural reflexes. Infants, toddlers and young children may suck on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects. It makes them feel secure and happy, some children also do it when they are bored.

However, research has shown that there can be a number of problems associated with thumb sucking and finger sucking in children. If the act of digit sucking is prolonged and aggressive, this may cause issues with the growth of the mouth and the alignment of child’s teeth. It also can cause changes in the roof of the mouth (palate)which and can cause speech problems. We have also heard from many parents about cracked skin on the thumbs.

Recognition in the Dental Industry

In 2019 Thumbsies® was recognised for it excellence in the dental industry and awarded “Innovation of the Year” in the Dental Industry Awards  run in association with the BDIA (British Dental Industry Association) .

We are approved by the Oral Health Foundation and the Thumbsie® is an approved product.

What do dentists say?

We asked three dentists to give their views on thumb sucking problems and the effects on the teeth. They have also said why they recommend Thumbsies®.

According to Dr. Lina Kotecha from Glen Dental, Leicester, the intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may follow later in life. In the event that children rest their thumbs latently in their mouths, they are probably going to cause fewer issues than the individuals who vivaciously suck their thumbs. Some forceful thumb suckers may create issues with their infant (essential) teeth and additionally their grown-up teeth.

Donna at iQ Orthodontics explains: “Digit sucking has a huge emotional attachment in young children and so it can be a very difficult habit to break. Thumbsie® is a great way to help to stop the habit, children can choose their own design and really make the Thumbsies® their own. We have had great success with patients using the Thumbsie® and regularly recommend it. It often means we don’t need to use orthodontic appliances to stop a thumb or finger sucking habit.”

Dr. Andrew McGregor, Park Orthodontics, Glasgow loves Thumbsie® because: “Anything that makes the process fun can be a massive help because getting a child to stop thumb sucking can be very difficult. Thumbsie® has helped several of my patients to successfully kick the habit. I now recommend it to every frustrated parent!”

Will they naturally stop sucking?

Many children leave their sucking thumbs and finger in their infancy between the ages of two and four. For older children who continue to be thumb suckers, peer pressure at school can often end the habit. However, according to the British Orthodontic Society, (2012) one in every eight children (aged 7-11) have a prolonged digit sucking habit. Girls are more likely to be prolonged digit suckers than boys. Even some adults still suck their thumbs.

Remember, though, even a child who’s successfully stopped sucking his or her thumb, by whatever means, might revert to the behavior when he or she is stressed or anxious, so it’s worth keeping an eye on this.

Although some parents are keen for their child to break the thumb sucking habit before it becomes too much of a habit, it isn’t usually a concern, experts say, until a child’s permanent teeth start to come through but most toddlers are not interested giving up a constant source of comfort.

If you are reading this page then you, like so many others, are probably worried about the long-term effects of continuous and vigorous digit sucking.

Possible Side Effects of thumb sucking

Problems may arise if the act is prolonged. According to research the possible effects of thumb sucking for children after the adult teeth start to grow:

  • Crossbite  – Improperly aligned teeth that have been pushed forward and upward
  • Anterior open bite  – where the incisors teeth of upper and lower jaws are not well place when closing the mouth
  • Due to irregularity of the teeth, speech problems such as lisping, imprecise pronunciation and thrusting out the tongue when talking can occur.
  • Change the shape and narrowing of the roof of the mouth (palette)
  • Problems chewing
  • Chapped skin or wounds on the thumb: Constantly sucking on a thumb may cause irritated and dry skin
  • Other associated problems such as hair pulling or twirling causing loss of hair.

According to the British Orthodontic Society, if the habit stops by the age of 7 then the teeth can often correct themselves with normal growth. If the habit continues beyond the age of 7, then the position of the adult teeth can be permanently affected and self-correction is less likely to occur.

If you notice changes in your child’s baby teeth or are concerned about your child’s thumb sucking you should consult your dentist or orthodontist.

The Thumbsie® is all the more relevant during the current COVID 19 pandemic as thumb sucking could help a virus get into the moist parts of the face (eyes, mouth, nose) which it needs to do to infect a person.   A Thumbsie® can make giving up faster and easy, reducing the chances of infection.

Dinosaur Thumbsie® Thumb Guard
Dinosaur Thumbsie® Thumb Guard
£9.95
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You can read more about the problems with thumb sucking by clicking on these links.

The British Orthodontic Society have a pdf leaflet that you can download on dummy and thumb sucking habits.

Read more from the American Dental Association

Read more from mayoclinic.org

Read more from mouthhealth.org

Read more from todays parents

Multi-award winning Thumbsie® was created from a real need when Jo Bates’s, founder Thumbsie Ltd, third daughter Isabel needed help to stop thumb sucking!

What is a thumb sucking glove?
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