Thumb-sucking is a common habit of preschool children. The activity is normal for infants and toddlers, but should decrease by ages three to four and stop by age five. Unfortunately, many youngsters can't break the habit by this time. Is parental anxiety over thumb-sucking warranted?
Thumb-sucking is a very normal response to anxiety and stress and does not point to insecurity or emotional problems in your child. Most children give up thumb-sucking by age four, when some children continue to suck their thumbs as a means of exerting independence. Aside from some minor problems with thumb and fingernail infections, the most damage from thumb-sucking occurs to the teeth and jaw.
Prolonged thumb activity produces significant problems with chewing, speech, and facial appearance.
The pleasure in the habit is derived from the contact of skin of thumb with oral mucous membrane. Thumb sucking also creates an intense negative pressure in oral cavity/mouth which has detrimental effects on over all development of facial area and narrowing of dental arches. These effects can last life long because the cheek muscles become hyperactive due to over action.
Three factors affect the outcome of damage. These are Duration, Intensity and Frequency of the habit. Higher the three, higher will be damage to teeth.
Effects on the jawbone
Upper front teeth flare out and tip upward while lower front teeth move inward.
If the habit persists through permanent front tooth eruption, there can be lasting damage: flared or protruded upper teeth, delayed eruption of upper or lower front teeth, and the open bite.
Do home remedies work?
You should repeatedly educate/motivate the kid that his face will look bad. The kid can also be asked to consciously suck thumb sitting in front of a mirror daily for few minutes, this is a biofeedback technique which has been found to be useful. It is very important not to get obsessed with this matter, overdoing also will hut the kid, gentle and consistent approach is needed. It would be considered safe not to initiate any steps until 3 years. Once kid understands your obsession he can also use this as an ATTENTION drawing technique. It has been found that kids who are breast fed are less likely to take to thumb sucking.
The dental solution: a crib that's not for sleeping.
"Fixed palatal crib," and is a type of brace that sits full-time on the upper teeth and the roof of the mouth.
