Thumb Sucking Appliances

When should a thumb sucking appliance be used?

A thumb sucking appliance should be used when the habit persists past age 4-5. Beyond this age, thumb-sucking can cause damage to developing skeletal structures and teeth.

How is a thumb sucking appliance made?

A thumb sucking appliance is made in four steps:

First, your child is examined by your dental provider and a prescription for a thumb sucking or habit appliance is created.

Second, an impression or digital scan of your child’s mouth is taken so the appliance can be custom made.

Third, a dental lab will fabricate and build the appliance.

Fourth, your dental provider will schedule a time to provide you with the appliance. Thumb sucking appliances can be permanent or removable so the length of this visit is determined by the type of thumb sucking appliance your dentist prescribes.

What types of thumb sucking devices are available?

Thumb sucking appliances can come as removable appliances or permanent appliances.

Removable habit correction appliances or thumb sucking appliances can be taken in and out of the mouth and are only effective if worn as prescribed.

Fixed appliances cannot be removed so these are often used for children who are having a harder time breaking the thumb sucking habit. Since they cannot be removed, they may cause difficulty adjusting to the device when it is first provided.

What happens when a child sucks their thumb?

When a child sucks their thumb for an extended period of time, it can cause a number of dental problems. Here are some of the ways thumb-sucking can affect a child’s teeth:

Misalignment: Prolonged thumb-sucking can cause misalignment of the teeth, leading to an overbite, underbite, or crossbite.

Open bite: Thumb-sucking can also cause an open bite, where the front teeth don’t meet properly, leaving a gap when the child bites down.

Narrowing of the palate: The constant pressure of thumb-sucking can cause the palate (roof of the mouth) to narrow, which can affect the child’s speech and make it difficult for permanent teeth to grow in properly.

Speech problems: Thumb-sucking can also lead to speech problems such as lisping, stuttering, or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds.

In general, the longer a child sucks their thumb, the more likely they are to experience dental problems. That’s why it’s important to encourage children to stop thumb-sucking by the time they reach age 4-5, before any permanent damage is done to their teeth and jaw.