Thumb Sucking Is Problematic For Mouth Development
Thumb (or finger) sucking can be detrimental to your child in several ways. The palate of a young child is much like that of silly putty. When a child sucks their thumb, they reshape the palate and therefore the foundational structures of the mouth and face. It is imperative that habits be eliminated first before beginning any sort of myofunctional therapy. The children cannot change their tongue posture with a finger or thumb in their mouth! Of the young children that I see, 99% of the thumb suckers need myofunctional therapy.
Craniofacial Development Changes Can Include:
Maxillary palate is pulled forward creating a narrow, vaulted arch
A cross bite is often created
Teeth can be crowded and misaligned due to the reshaping of the arch
Thumb Sucking Quit Program
Our thumb sucking (or other toxic oral habit) quit program works to help children discontinue destructive habits. Oral habits need to be disrupted sooner rather than later. It is important to stop the “reshaping” of the palate long before the child meets the orthodontist. Through a series of simple goals, encouragement and well-timed rewards your child will be on their way to breaking their thumb sucking or oral habit.
The most important thing to determine before starting this intensive program is if your child wants to stop sucking their thumb and are they ready to start now? I counsel many parents whom are ready for their child to stop sucking their thumb but the child is not ready. I do some initial therapy with the parents and we will wait patiently until the child is ready and then we will start the therapy.
Each quit program will be customized around the child.
