The habit of sucking the thumb and other fingers
Approximately two-thirds of these habits disappear at five years o age. If such habits are broken before the eruption of permanent teeth, there will be no significant problems. However, if they continue for a long time, they might induce occlusal and esthetic problems. The dental changes induced by the finger-sucking habit depend on the forces exerted on the teeth, the pattern in which the finger is placed in the oral cavity, the duration of the child’s engagement with the habit in 24 hours, and the total duration of the habit (months or years).
The most commonly reported dental changes are:
- Posterior crossbite (maxillary arch stenosis)
- Anterior open bite (absence of tooth contacts between the maxillary and mandibular incisors)
- Increased overjet (protrusion of maxillary anterior teeth and backward movement of mandibular anterior teeth)
- Changes in the alveolar bone
Treating the Thumb-sucking Habit
- Intervention is recommended at 4-6 years of age, at which the dental changes return to normal if the habit is broken.
- The parents and the child should request the treatment.
- The easiest method is to talk to the child, which includes a dialogue between the dentist and the patient about the problem caused by the thumb-sucking habit. The discussion is concentrated on the reasons for the habit and its effects on the esthetic appearance. The best results will be achieved with older children.
- The second method is the reminder treatment and is suitable for children who want to break the habit but need some assistance. For example, a wound handyplast protected by a waterproof band on the child’s finger can be used as a constant reminder for the child. It is also possible to use single-finger gloves or socks to cover the finger of the hand. Another method is to use readily available bitter solations on the fingers that are sucked.
- The third method is the reward system, in which the child breaks the habit for a specific time, and in return, receives a prize or a gift. Of course, the prize should not be expensive and should not be considered a bribe.
- If the habit persists after the reminder treatment and the reward system, an adjunctive treatment is used, which consists of placing an appliance in the oral caviy to physically prevent thumb sucking. Two appliances usually used to break the thumb-sucking habit are the quad helix and palatal crib, which should remain in the oral cavity for 6-12 months until the habit is broken.
