Almost all babies start sucking their thumbs or fingers shortly after they’re born. This is an important reflex that helps keep them alive, but it can cause issues if it continues into early childhood. Many parents wonder, what does thumb sucking do to babies’ teeth? Can it be corrected? And when is there cause for concern? Let’s take a closer look.
Thumb Sucking in Babies
Humans, as well as some primates, are born with the reflex to suck, which helps them breastfeed. This also provides a sense of comfort, which is why babies also suck on pacifiers and their thumbs or other fingers. Though the reflex fades after about four months of age, the sense of comfort continues.
Most babies and children will continue to suck their thumbs until they’re about two to four years old. This isn’t generally cause for concern unless it continues after this age. After this point, thumb sucking can start to cause problems for the newly erupting teeth.
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What Does Thumb Sucking Do to Babies’ Teeth?
While a child is getting their primary teeth, also called baby teeth, thumb sucking is generally not an issue and won’t affect your baby’s teeth. A child gets all of their primary teeth by the time they’re about two and a half years old. They will start to lose their primary teeth and get their permanent teeth at about six or seven years old. It is at this point that thumb sucking can be an issue.
Most children will stop sucking their thumbs on their own before age 5. However, some children will continue this habit. This can create problems for the newly emerging permanent teeth. Repeated, habitually thumb-sucking causes the muscles in the cheeks and tongue to put unbalanced pressure on certain areas of the mouth. This can cause the maxillary incisors (the upper front teeth) to tip outward, while the mandibular incisors (the lower front teeth) to tip inward. This can then cause a more severe overbite or overjet, where the front teeth tip outward over the bottom teeth.
When is Thumb-Sucking a Problem?
If your child is still sucking their thumb at about age 5, it can be cause for concern. The permanent front teeth will start to emerge shortly after this time, and thumb-sucking can be problematic.
Besides causing issues with the emergence of permanent teeth, it can also cause difficulties in speaking or swallowing. Thumb-sucking at this age also makes your child more vulnerable to bacteria, infection, and illnesses. It can also make them a target for bullies at school, and alienate them from their peers. It might be time to intervene, and gently encourage the child to try other activities to self-soothe.
How to Stop Early Childhood Thumb-Sucking
If you notice your child still sucking their thumb at around age 5, consider why they’re doing it. Have they recently seen or been a part of stressful situations? This might include moving to a new location, divorce or separation of parents or family members, illness or injuries in the family, or a loss of a family member, among other things. Or, do you notice that your child sucks their thumb when they’re seeking your attention? Determining why your child is still sucking their thumb can help you intervene and change their behavior.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can help your child stop sucking their thumb around or after age 5.
- Show the Importance: First, it’s helpful if your child wants to stop sucking their thumb, or understands why it’s beneficial to stop. Consider using storybooks that show children, in a constructive way, the importance of moving away from this habit.
- Replacement Behavior: Once you recognize where the thumb-sucking behavior arises from, it will be easier to introduce a replacement behavior. If your child is using this as a soothing mechanism, consider other soothing techniques, such as a stuffed animal, blanket, hugs, verbal reassurance, or something else.
- Positive Reinforcement: The Mayo Clinic recommends using positive reinforcement to encourage a child to stop sucking their thumb. By rewarding other behavior and other coping mechanisms, your child will have positive associations with positive behaviors, instead of negative associations with their current behavior. Consider using stickers or small rewards for a day without thumb-sucking.
- Talk to your Dentist: In some cases, it can be helpful to talk with your child’s dentist about thumb-sucking. Your child can offer some helpful information to you and your child about this behavior. In some cases, hearing this information from another authority figure outside the immediate family can provide some incentive for the child to change their behavior.
Though thumb-sucking behaviors might sometimes continue later than the age many parents predict, this behavior can be corrected. If you notice your child sucking their thumb around the age of five and it doesn’t look like the behavior is lessening, it may be time to intervene. Use these interventions to try and steer your child away from this behavior, and contact your dentist to give your child additional advice from an authority figure.
