Why do children suck their thumb?

Thumb sucking

Thumbsucking is commonly associated with infants as most of the infants are seen sucking their thumb. Although, it might appear a harmless bad habit, it can lead to dental and speech problems. This article will deal with why children suck their thumb and what problems can arise out of it. The next article will deal with how to get children to quit thumbsucking.

Why children suck their thumb?

Some babies develop the thumbsucking habit while in the mother’s womb itself where as others start this habit after their birth. Sucking in newborns is just an instinct for survival. They associate sucking with food (milk) and thus comfort and survival.

Sucking in children is a pleasure and comfort giving activity and can hence be attributed to psychological needs. Thumbsucking stimulates the brain to produce endomorphins which are the mood-altering chemicals. These endomorphins gives pleasure and comfort while the child sucks his/her thumb making the child habituated to it.

Many infants tend to stop the habit at around 1 year but quite a few carry on beyond this age. Experts have observed that thumbsucking habit beyond the age of 5 is very detrimental.

The typical parents reaction to this habit is shouting and nagging at the habit which makes it harder for the child to quit.
Punishing children for the habit is no way to get the child to quit thumbsucking and makes the child more adamant towards the habit.

Generally, as the child gets to the age of 4-5 years, he gets busy in his schedule such as school, playing with other children and other activities. This makes the child somewhat independent and he tends to forget about thumbsucking. He is too engrossed in other activities to think about thumbsucking. But some children do not quit this habit and here parents need to adapt a careful approach in order to get their child to quit thumbsucking.

What problems can thumbsucking give rise to?

• Thumbsucking has a major impact on the oral health of the child after the age of 5 years. It is the best to get the child to quit it around age 3.The upper front teeth are pushed forwards and the lower front teeth are pushed backwards. This does not create a problem though. This is because even if the baby teeth get misaligned, this has no effect on the permanent teeth which will start erupting at the age of 6-7 years.
• The roof of the mouth (palate) will be pushed upwards causing a range of problems including speech problems.
• Narrows the dental arches.
• Reshape the jawbone.
• Misalign the teeth.
• Apart from the dental problems, thumsucking can give rise to other problems such as ugly callous on thumb.
• Infection of the thumbnail.
• Increased risk of pinworms.
• Increased risk of other infections.

Now, let’s take a look at possible remedies for thumb sucking.

• Admit the problem in front of the child. Let him know that its something he should rather do away with. Convey this casually and not in a strict manner.
• Try finding the cause of the thumb sucking. Is it just a casual habit or the child does it in times of stress and address this.
• Offer a reward for not sucking.
• Wrap a cloth around the child’s thumb. This should discourage him from sucking his thumb.
• Put some bitter material on the child’s thumb to discourage the habit such as Cayenne pepper, quinine, and asafetida. Some doctors term it as cruel though.
• A very popular therapy which has been shown to be effective is the mirror therapy. Make the child sit in front of the mirror daily for few minutes and suck his thumb. Eventually, the child feels embarrassed and realizes the silliness of the habit.
• An orthodontist can place a orthodontic appliance which will deter thumb sucking. Generally a fixed palatal crib is placed on the palate.
• Thumb guards are also known as good deterrents to thumb sucking and can be employed.

Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, period ontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!

Link between Dental Health and Heart Disease

Recent studies suggest possible links between periodontal infections and heart disease. Researchers have reported that the most common strain of bacteria found in plaque can cause blood clots that induce heart attacks when they escape into the bloodstream.

To explain the relationship between the heart and periodontal infections, some experts hypothesize that bacteria present in infected gums can come loose and move throughout the body.

It is possible that once bacteria reach the arteries, they can irritate in the same way they do the gum tissue, causing arterial plaque to buildup in the arteries. This accumulation of bacteria can cause arteries to harden and restrict blood-flow and potentially result in a heart attack or stroke.

Even though the research is not conclusive at this point, it’s still important to try to keep your mouth healthy and help prevent gingivitis from the start. This includes seeing your dental professional at least twice a year and brushing and flossing regularly. Gum disease may be caused by the build up of plaque. If you remove plaque by brushing with a toothpaste, flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist for regular cleanings and consultations, you can help minimize your risk of gum disease. To help prevent gum disease, take these simple steps:

• Brush your teeth twice daily with a proven anti-gingivitis toothpaste
• Floss once a day, or more often if you eat sticky foods or foods that can lodge between your teeth (such as popcorn or poppy seeds)
• Have dental checkups twice a year (or as often as your dental professional recommends)
• Use an anti-microbial rinse, in addition to brushing and flossing

Interestingly, there are some conditions that contribute to the onset of gum disease. Diabetes, for example, can inhibit the immune system and make sufferers more vulnerable to infection. Also, pregnant women can have a higher incidence of gingivitis.

Bloch Dentistry Center specializes in a wide range of dental services including: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental implants, root canals, periodontic treatments, and reconstructive dentistry.

Call our friendly staff to schedule an appointment at (305)385-5555 or visit our website at http://www.BlochDentistry.com. We want to see you smile!