In order for thumb sucking to have a dental effect it needs to be occurring for more than 6 hours a day. When it does, it often causes the following changes:
- An open bite or a gap between the front teeth
- A narrow upper jaw
- A crossbite at the back of the mouth
- Protruding upper incisors
- Spaced upper incisors
Before 6 years of age, the best management is often just gentle encouragement for the child to stop. As children get older the habit often ceases itself and any dental open bites resolve spontaneously with the emergence of the adult teeth.
After 6-7 years of age, once the adult incisors have erupted, the habit needs to be actively discouraged. This is because if it continues it will lead to long-lasting effects on the bite. Initially try ‘at home’ measures to discourage the habit like rewards, a band aid around the thumb, a glove around the hand, nail polish, or a thumb guard. Once these options have been exhausted its time to bring your child in to see an orthodontist. At the orthodontist we often glue in a TSDA or Thumb Sucking Deterrent Appliance. This is a bar that sits across the roof of the mouth and physically interferes with the child placing his or her thumb in the mouth. It has a 100% success rate and is extremely effective.
Early intervention of a thumb sucking habit is essential so it doesn’t lead to a bad bite in the future.