How Is Prolonged Thumbsucking Detrimental for Your Child's Oral Health?

Thumbsucking appears as a harmless habit common among children below seven. Sucking the thumb is a favorite post them off 75 to 95 percent of all infants. Unfortunately, the practice can spill over into adulthood because it is an instinctive habit coming naturally to toddlers in distress. Thumbsucking soothes children to give them a sense of security.

Unfortunately, thumbsucking can develop into a practice that harms your child’s oral health. The reason for the harm is the adverse effects on your child’s oral health, especially with developing teeth.

This article looks at the harmful effects of prolonged thumbsucking to help you understand how it can adversely affect your child. Kindly read for more details.

Thumbsucking Can Result in Protruding Teeth

Persistent thumbsucking has a familiar side effect leaving children with protruding teeth or an overbite. When sucking thumbs, children press the thumb against the gums from where their incisors erupt. Over time the pressure pushes the front teeth resulting in an overbite. Protruding teeth are not aesthetically pleasing and can make your child insecure about their appearance. Thankfully orthodontic treatment can help correct overbites making it better for children to have an attractive smile if the problem is corrected earlier than later.

Thumbsucking Also Results in Open Bites

When the top and bottom teeth become directed outwards, it results in an open bite. The pediatric dentist in Chicago treats many children with two sets of teeth not touching when they shut their mouths. Teeth misalignment and irregular chewing patterns cause discomfort when children have open bites.

Increase in the Vulnerability to Mouth Ulcers

Children involved in thumbsucking become vulnerable to developing mouth ulcers. The vulnerability is because the thumb will likely scratch their soft mouth palate. While mouth ulcers are not a cause for concern, they can encourage the child to avoid brushing because they find it uncomfortable. Unfortunately, with time avoiding brushing becomes a full-blown habit leading to various oral health problems later.

Encourages Mouth Breathing

Children who indulge in thumbsucking during bedtime before drifting into sleep will likely sleep with their mouths open. The thumb in their mouth prevents them from closing it and makes them breathe through their mouth instead of the nose. If you think mouth breathing is harmless, you will express surprise with the following information.

Mouth breathing is harmful because it increases pathogens that can impact the teeth and gums. It helps if you remember that the nose has mucus and hair to manage harmful bacteria. Unfortunately, the teeth don’t have a protective barrier and might encourage bacteria to enter cavities or holes in the teeth to cause considerable pain.

How to Prevent Your Child’s Thumbsucking?

Asking your child not to suck their thumbs rarely works. You might need help from the dental clinic in Chicago with experts in managing childhood problems with ease to ensure your child overcomes the thumbsucking habit if you contact them as soon as possible.

Pediatric dentists are experts in treating oral health problems in children of all ages, from infancy until adolescence. For example, they can identify your child’s thumbsucking issue merely by looking at their teeth and suggesting techniques to help them overcome the problem.

The Chicago dentist works with your child to make them understand why the habit is harmful to their dental health and remains persistent with the education until a child gives up the practice. You must also make some efforts by teaching your child it is not beneficial to suck their thumb. You can achieve your goal by removing your child’s hand whenever you notice they are directing their thumb towards their mouth.

You might confront challenges with your child remaining adamant about sucking their thumbs because it provides them some security. However, you must stay persistent like the Chicago pediatric dentist and remove your child’s hand from the mouth whenever they indulge in the practice.

Children are and can be adamant about certain practices, but they are also curious. Over time your child will realize that sucking thumbs is not beneficial and will overcome the habit eventually. When dealing with children, patience is crucial, especially if you intend to succeed in breaking a pattern that they developed during infancy and think it is the best way to soothe themselves.

If your child is indulging in thumbsucking and you need help to get them to overcome the habit, Dental Impressions in Chicago can help your child overcome the practice to enjoy excellent oral health later. Therefore if you find it challenging to convince your child not to suck thumbs consulting this practice for advice proves beneficial.