Thumb Sucking Effects on Teeth And Solution In Charni Road Mumbai
Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for children that often begins soon after birth. While it offers comfort and security, it can lead to thumb-sucking dental issues in the future.
Thumb Sucking Impacts on Teeth
Thumb sucking dental risks include misaligned teeth, which is where they are out of place from where they should be in the gum line. It can also change the structure of your child’s mouth. When your child sucks their thumb, the thumb puts pressure on the roof of their mouth and changes how it's shaped.
Thumb sucking is a smaller concern for baby teeth. It has a more serious impact on permanent teeth. Your child’s teeth may grow in crooked or crowded.
The intensity of your child's thumb sucking, and the length of time your child sucks their thumb, impacts the severity of any dental problems. If your child rests their thumb in their mouth for comfort, it may not have much impact on tooth development. But if your child sucks vigorously, it can cause permanent, significant changes.
Common dental problems that thumb suckers face include:
The upper jaw extending out further from your child's face than it should
The upper front teeth extending upward and out, which is also called an overbite
Lower front teeth that tilt into your child's mouth instead of being straight
A gap between the upper and lower teeth where they should meet in a bite
An inability to bite front teeth together
The roof of the mouth narrowing and pushing further up
Formation of a lisp
Your child's tongue not sitting in a normal position in their mouth
During the first year of life, one in three babies sucks their thumb. Most children stop sucking their thumbs independently between the ages of two and four years old. Only one in 20 children suck their thumb by the age of eight.
Solution to Thumb Sucking
To address thumb sucking and its effects on teeth, consider the following solutions:
Use a thumb guard: A thumb guard can prevent the thumb from reaching the mouth and reduce the urge to suck.
Engage in activities: Keep the child busy with activities like arts and crafts, sports, or baking to distract them from thumb sucking.
Orthodontic Treatment After Thumb Sucking
If your child has dental issues from thumb sucking, orthodontic braces may help move teeth back into place. Additional benefits include:
Reducing the chances of tooth decay and development of gum disease
Preventing damage that leads to tooth loss
Improving your child's ability to chew food
Fixing your child's bite to improve their speech
Lessening the chances for abnormal enamel wear caused by tooth misalignment
Fixing jaw problems that may cause an underbite or overbite
How braces work to realign teeth. Your child's orthodontist may recommend one of several variations of braces treatment. Each application of braces has a different goal. Some are more effective for specific needs.
Traditional braces have cemented brackets on each tooth, connected by a wire. Your child's orthodontist will tighten the wire over time to straighten teeth and improve your child’s bite.
Clear aligners are a common alternative to traditional braces. After taking a mold of your teeth, your child's orthodontist will create a series of clear aligners that need to be changed out regularly. Each aligner moves teeth a little more until you get the desired results.
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Praise and reward: Praise and reward your child when they avoid thumb sucking, rather than scolding them when they do.
Keep hands busy: Use mittens or socks for younger children to keep their hands occupied and reduce thumb sucking.
Special devices: Consider using special devices like thumb guards that prevent thumb sucking while allowing other hand activities.
These strategies can help manage thumb sucking and prevent its negative impact on dental health. It's important to consult with a dentist for personalized advice and to monitor the child's dental development.
