What happens to teeth when you suck your thumb?

Did you know that thumbsucking can influence your child’s smile in remarkable ways? 🤔👍

🦷 When a child sucks their thumb, the consistent pressure applied by the thumb alters the shape of the palate, the roof of the mouth. This can lead to a high, arched palate, which may affect speech development and oral health.

Additionally, the thumb’s pressure can influence the alignment and direction of teeth growth. Over time, it may result in misalignment or protrusion of teeth.

When the tongue cannot make correct contact with the palate due to finger habits or an open bite, it can lead to articulation issues. Speech sounds that require tongue-to-palate contact, like "t," "d," and "n," may be pronounced incorrectly, causing speech difficulties.

Open bites and a narrow palate can have a significant impact on sleep and breathing. An open bite can lead to mouth breathing during sleep. This is because the tongue doesn't have the support of the teeth to maintain a closed position in the mouth, potentially causing snoring and disrupted sleep patterns. Additionally, a narrow palate can restrict the space available for the tongue and other oral structures, potentially leading to airway constriction. This constriction can increase the risk of sleep-disordered breathing conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea.

Our goal is to address these issues through airway centric expansion techniques and often times alongside myofunctional therapy to promote healthier sleep for children and improve overall function.

Video Credit @discover_facts12

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