Thumb sucking and other oral habits
Does your child suck their thumb? Or instead, maybe they prefer to use their fingers. Either way, there are potential concerns from partaking in these sucking habits as your child grows. Maybe you are curious about how long it is okay for them to continue to do this? We know that it is normal for babies to suck because they are born with the need to suck, and believe it or not, they actually start to suck before they are born, around the 32nd week in utero. Some even suck their thumb before they are born, and I have seen ultrasound images of them doing so. Not only do babies need to suck to get food to live, but sucking a thumb, fingers, or a pacifier also helps to calm or soothe them. Isn’t that amazing that they have figured it out?
If you talk to your pediatrician, they will likely follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendation for children who suck their thumb or fingers. They recommend stopping sucking them between the ages of 2 and 4. Unfortunately, by age 4 a lot of development has already happened, and the shaping of the palate can be affected, not just the teeth. Watch this 9 second video by Dr. Norazaghi to see how.
Most people don’t know that when a child has their thumb in their mouth and they are sucking, the soothing comes from the pressure stimulating an area on the palate that releases feel good hormones. This makes so much sense that they would want to suck their thumb or fingers when they are tired, stressed, or when they just need to calm themselves. Isn’t that amazing that they have a built-in way to do that? Unfortunately, when a child sucks their thumb or fingers, it means that the tongue will be positioned low or in the bottom of the mouth. And when the tongue is always resting low in the mouth, then it won’t be able to help the palate to grow which can make it harder to breather with the nose. And the palate will more likely be narrow and vaulted, there will be less space for the teeth and more likely tooth crowding. “When the tongue lives low, the jaws won’t grow” so you can see the tongue living in the palate has many benefits.
When the tongue sits low in the mouth, we are more likely to breathe through our mouth, not the nose. But “Mouths are for eating and talking and noses are for breathing.” So, what is wrong with mouth breathing? Most people do not realize that mouth breathing affects jaw growth, and it increases the number of bad bacteria which makes it easier to get cavities and gum disease. Breathing with the nose filters bacteria, viruses, and pollution, warms and moistens the air and gets more oxygen to the brain, lungs, and the rest of the body. It also makes nitric oxide which has many health benefits.
The other thing that happens with thumb, finger, and pacifier sucking is that the top teeth are eventually more likely to stick out, this is called an overjet. It is also more likely to cause open bites both in the front and the back, this is where the teeth no longer come together. This creates the perfect place for the tongue to sit and then a dysfunctional swallow or a tongue thrust swallow which can easily push the teeth outward. Often teeth won’t fit correctly, and this can make it harder to chew. When sucking a thumb, often the hand or fist will be putting pressure on the lower jaw. This can make the lower jaw difficult to grow to its full potential which can result in a smaller airway, problems with the TMJ, and increase mouth breathing.
So now you are probably wondering what can I do if my child sucks their thumb, fingers, or pacifier. I am happy to offer some help in another posting in the future.