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Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Habits
Thumb sucking and pacifier use are common self-soothing behaviors during infancy and early childhood. In most cases, these habits are a normal part of development and do not cause long-term problems when they stop at an appropriate age. Understanding when these habits may begin affecting dental development can help parents know when professional guidance may be beneficial.
How Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Use Can Affect Teeth
The impact of thumb sucking or pacifier use depends on factors such as frequency, intensity, and duration. As children grow, prolonged habits may influence the position of the teeth and the development of the jaws. Regular dental visits allow growth and development to be monitored so that concerns can be identified and addressed at the appropriate time.
When should sucking habits stop?
Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy, or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep. For these reasons, thumb and pacifier sucking are not necessarily problematic through the first year of life, and can be comforting through early teething.
To best prevent permanent changes to the shape of the jaws and position of the teeth, the sucking habit should ideally be eliminated by 36 months of age. The further past this age that the habit continues, the more likely it will be that some or all of the growth changes become permanent. At that point, orthodontics will often be needed to reposition the teeth. However, a sucking habit is even more powerful than braces, and if the habit continues during orthodontic treatment, it will be a never-ending tug of war!
How do I get my child to stop sucking their pacifier or thumb / finger?
Eliminating a sucking habit can be extremely difficult. There are a variety of methods you can try, and every child responds differently to each technique. For some, peer pressure at preschool or kindergarten is enough to cause them to stop. Other proactive techniques include:
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Substitution of comforts, such as giving them a special blanket or stuffed animal to hold instead
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A reward system, where the child gets a star on the calendar for each day they do not repeat the habit, with prizes at certain intervals (week, month)
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If it is a subconscious habit, wearing a bandage on the preferred finger(s) or mittens to sleep, or painting “Mavala” (an anti-teething nail-polish) on the fingernails, is another potentially effective technique.
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If all else fails, a special type of retainer can be made to block the thumb out of the mouth.
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