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Here is a note from the Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health:
June 2000
The mouth reflects general
health and well-being. The mouth is a readily accessible and
visible part of the body and provides health care providers and
individuals with a window on their general health status. As
the gateway of the body the mouth senses and responds to the
external world and at the same time reflects what is happening deep
inside the body. The mouth may show signs of nutritional
deficiencies and serve as an early warning system for diseases such
as HIV infection and other immune system problems. The mouth
can also show signs of general infection and stress.
You as responsible and busy
parents have taken the first step towards a healthy life style by
choosing to bring your children in early for regular dental "well
visits". Please don't hesitate to ask me about fluoride, tooth
eruption, orthodontics, or even habits.
THUMB-SUCKING QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q:
When should my child stop sucking their thumb?
A:
Children should be discouraged from using their thumb by the age of
3. By that age a continued habit may cause permanent damage to
their occlusion and oral development. The possible change are:
open bite, cross-bite of their back teeth, class II tendency, mouth
breathing, and tongue thrust.
Q:
My child is 5 years old. When she closes her mouth her front
teeth don’t come together. Why did that happen and will her
permanent teeth be that way?
A:
This is what is referred to as an anterior open bite. Your
child either had a thumb-sucking habit or used a pacifier past the
age of 3-4 years old. If she has not stopped the habit then
corrective measures may be needed to avoid damage to the permanent
teeth and occlusion. Even if the habit has ceased corrective
measures are need to prevent the tongue from keeping the teeth
apart.
Q:
What can be done to help my child stop sucking their thumb?
A:
First, it is important that your child wants to stop. If they
have no motivation to stop then it will appear as a punishment and
the habit will persist even with an appliance. If they are
willing to stop, then there are various appliances that can be
inserted in their mouth to help remind your child to keep his/her
thumb out.
Q:
Is this habit appliance like braces?
A:
No, depending on the appliance, when cemented in, are not visible.
Children accept them well and it does not impede eating or talking.
Q:
How long do they wear the appliance for?
A:
Until the open bite or habit is corrected. This can take
anywhere from 3 months to a year.
Q:
Why do children suck their thumb?
A:
Some believe that it is a way children comfort themselves.
Sucking is a natural reflex for children. Thumb-sucking has been
shown to occur while still in the womb. Non-nutritive sucking
should be discontinued when the adult swallow develops at about 2-3
years old.
Q:
Is there something I can do, without the use of orthodontic
appliances, to help my child stop sucking their thumb?
A:
You can use the reward system. Every day they don’t suck their
thumb they earn a sticker. At the end of the week if they
collect a certain number then they get a special prize.
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