how does Thumb Sucking affect teeth? Tooth Time Family Dentistry

Thumbsucking is a natural reflex for children. Sucking on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects may make babies feel secure and happy and help them learn about their world.

Young children may also suck to soothe themselves and help them fall asleep.

How Can Thumb sucking Affect My Child's Teeth?

After permanent teeth come in, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. It can also cause changes in the roof of the mouth.

Pacifiers can affect the teeth essentially the same ways as sucking fingers and thumbs, but it is often an easier habit to break.

The intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may result. If children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Some aggressive thumbsuckers may develop problems with their baby (primary) teeth.

When Do Children Stop Sucking Their Thumbs?

Children usually stop sucking between the ages of two and four years old, or by the time the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. If you notice changes in your child’s primary teeth, or are concerned about your child’s thumb sucking consult your dentist.

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[GhostMediaUploads]

Sucked my thumb for 16 years…no major bite issues or jaw misplacements, thankfully I only ended up with a slight overjet…I’m getting braces to next week and I’m so excited🤩

[TheNovemberain]

I had to get braces at 10 because I sucked my thumb, but I couldn’t stop the habit while having braces, then a retainer, and then forgot to wear it. I had to have it again. After a lot of work, I now don’t suck my thumb anymore and I have a retainer! Do not give up, anything is possible if you work hard!!!❤

[omosisw.]

This was the reason why I needed braces..it didn’t cause that but it pushed my 2 front teeth forward which made them overlap each other.

[ProNB-ypyr]

Didn’t even suck my thumb but still had it due to a tounge thrust. Trust me, you don’t want this it’s torture 😭😭😭

[rebeccacoralietolbize]

Only those who sucked their thumb know how relaxing it can be as a kid. When I got mad I would just put my thumb in my mouth and instantly felt much better.. it helped me to deal with negative emotions.. I sucked my thumb for 13 years and spent only 2 years in braces. A win is a win I may say 🤣

[rebekahjohnstone]

I actual cannot go to sleep if I don’t, i fall asleep without it, but wake up with it in my mouth!

Just know this is a safe place to share these types of things! Don’t be afraid to, no one will judge you…!

[miers]

as a former thumb sucker willing to help others, what helped me was getting my nails done, not just putting polish on them tho, i mean getting extensions. It always put a weird feeling so over time, i just kind of stopped. a few more tips are sleepovers, bc you never want your friend to see or choose a SUPER close friend (preferably one you have had most of your life) to help you stop. my last way is if you still suck it at night, they keep your hands under your pillow, it helps (or chewing gum)

[simonsaes]

I think it may be different for different people. I have PTSD and I have triggers to suck my thumb and as someone who is a 26 year old and still sucks their thumb and has in their life a lot, I have perfectly straight teeth no issues at all.

[pookielover]

Its really hard for me cuz i dont get the support. My parents get mad at me a lot. When im negative, feel sad, cry i suck my thumb to feel better. If not my brother, mom, dad, friends or internet then i go for the thumb. Im so embarassed and scared to talk because people notice it and sometimes they judge me, even the dentist. So i dont know what to do. My teeth are really bad looking. Just looking at this video is making me feel so comfortable especially when youre talking nicely and not shout and spread negative energy like my dentists. My teeth are wayy worse than this girl’s… its really making me insecure because im scared to hear how BAD mine are. Please be happy that u dont have problems like this. Please dont hate i just feel so uncomfortable talking about this in public/on the internet.

[Guatemala]

I thankfully didn't need a tongue crib
appliance, I didn't suck my thumb but did use pacifiers until later than most children (like until 5 or 6). The habit of resting my tongue on my teeth didn't do too much damage to my overall teeth but I do have a permanent overbite. It got fixed by springs, a retainer, braces, rubber bands, and headgear for a while. But after getting everything removed in a year or so my overbite was right back to normal.

[matthewpoehnet]

It's soo hard to stop sucking your thumb, and im 33, it's everything to me, it helps me sleep, if I'm stressed or whatever, it helps, im scared to get the braces because I don't want it to stop me from thumb sucking, it's crazy to think growing up my parents tried all kind of ways to get me to stop thumb sucking but nothing ever worked.

[hankhill]

I sucked my thumb up until i was 10. Parents always told me to stop never listened until my dad made a few serious threats.

Teeth hung out my mouth throughout school, mouth could have never closed and everyone would make fun of me. Looked ridiculous in every pic forcing my mouth to close. Avoided public speaking never looked people in the eye, pronounced s as sh. Girl i liked told me in front of the whole class "Why dont you buy braces" felt crushed. 10 yrs and 5 grand later feel like im finally back on my feet.
Amazing on how such a seemingly normal act can destroy you socially, physically and psychologically. But yh dont suck your thumb lol.

[Jstcop]

I have a tongue crib but I don’t suck my thumb, it’s because I had a habit of letting my tongue rest on my teeth, like I was constantly pushing them so I had to get one, I’m really happy bc they’re taking it out next Wednesday^^

[J-jizzy_]

I never knew sucking on your thumb into adolescence or beyond is so common 🤔

[ihaveyoutube]

fun fact: i sucked my thumb from when i was 0-4. i went to the ortho at 4 cuz i have bad teeth conditions. the ortho showed me that exact appliance. he said “little girl, if you don’t stop sucking on your thumb this will be in your mouth.” and i didn’t suck on it since

[Pandagirl]

I suck my thumb and find it impossible to stop and I need it to sleep. I plan on getting braces so this video prepared me for my torture

[OffBlackKash]

Sucked my thumb for 10+ years and never had these issues, and dentist never recommended braces. He was surprised when I mentioned I had the, says I’m lucky

[eileenhildebrand]

Not everyone has the ability to not suck their thumb, me as an example; I have autism and when I am stressed, really upset, or tired it happens out of habit I can’t help it at all

[gemmamcgall]

I sucked my thumb right up until I had double jaw surgery at 21. I had an underbite (inherited from my Dad's side) and luckily I didn't have any of these issues. Having two broken jaws made me stop the habit 🤣 otherwise I'd still probably do it today.

[Emmies]

I use to suck my fingers (index and middle) and got braces at the age of 8, continued to suck my fingers during and after braces, and now I have them again 11 years later. (I stopped sucking my fingers in middle school) it’s a very bad habit. And u stop when ur finally done with it 🤷‍♀️. My parents tried everything, sock, hot sauce, tight bandage.