Thumb Sucking

Why do kids thumb-suck?

Thumb-sucking is a normal behavior among babies and young children. Even inside the womb, fetuses start to thumb-suck. Among their age group, this is an important behavior as this gives them a:

Sense of security
Sense of happiness
Way to make contact with and learn about the world
Way to soothe themselves
Way to induce sleep

This activity peaks around 1 to 2 years old. Thereafter, children stop thumb-sucking on their own. Children should be encouraged to stop; if they continue to thumb-suck, as dental problems develop after 4 to 5 years of age.

For older children, how will it affect their teeth?

If older children continue to thumb-suck, this may affect the teeth and jaws since:

The upper front teeth may bend outward or become crooked
It may cause malocclusion or misalignment of the upper and lower jaws
It may hinder the growth of the jaws and bones that support the teeth
It can cause changes in the roof of the mouth

Aside from thumb-sucking, prolonged use of pacifiers can cause the same problems. Because persistent habits may cause long-term problems, intervention may be recommended for children beyond 3 years of age.