You should not be concerned about thumbsucking until your child is six years old, however, if your child continues to suck his/her thumb, this issue will need to be addressed.  Did you know that thumbsucking can affect the jaw bone?  Jaw bones of children under eight years of age are especially soft and malleable. Thumbs and fingers can move teeth and shape the bone.  Continuous and forceful thumbsucking makes the front teeth move and reshape the jaw bone. This causes the front teeth to flare out and tip upward and the lower front teeth to move inward.  This, in turn, creates an “open bite”, which can result in speech abnormalities, chewing difficulties, poor tongue placement and an unattractive smile, if not addressed.  Thumbsucking may also cause your child’s teeth to become misaligned, causing a malocclusion.  Tongue thrusting is usually an outcome of a thumbsucking habit, as well.

It is very important to break this habit before permanent teeth come in. This will allow the teeth to erupt properly and the open bite will disappear.  As a parent, you want what is best for your child.  Together we can help your child dispel his/her thumbsucking and tongue thrusting habit.  This can be accomplished through the placement of a “Habit” or “Crib” appliance by your Orthodontist.  The purpose of the Habit appliance is to reprogram the tongue’s posture during swallowing and create a physical barrier between the thumb and the teeth.  The Habit appliance is temporarily placed in your child’s mouth for approximately 6-10 months.

Thumbsucking is one of the many reasons why the American Association of Orthodontists and I recommend that your child’s first orthodontic check-up be no later than seven years of age. The goals of orthodontic treatment are a good functional bite, and straight teeth with properly aligned jaws and tooth positioning.  Many orthodontic problems are easier to correct if they are found early. It is important to prevent a potential problem from developing, intercept a developing problem and guide the growth of the jaw bones.

Below is an actual patient who was treated at West Houston Orthodontics by Dr. Tabakman for her thumbsucking habit with a “Habit” or “Crib” appliance.