How Do Pacifiers and Thumb Sucking Affect Your Child’s Teeth?

The use of pacifiers and thumb sucking may seem like normal behaviors for babies and toddlers, but both of these can affect your child’s teeth.

Pacifiers are objects that parents give to their children to help soothe them. They are often shaped like a nipple and may help a baby go to sleep. However, pacifiers can also have a negative effect on a child’s teeth. The constant sucking motion could cause your child to damage their jaw development. Thumb-sucking can also cause malocclusion or misaligned teeth if the child continues to suck his or her thumb past the age of 5.

Orthodontic Problems Caused by Thumb Sucking or Pacifier 

Common orthodontic problems caused by prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use can include:

• Overbite

An overbite is an exaggeration of the lower jaw. The upper front teeth extend out over the lower front teeth, causing the lower teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth. Thumb sucking or using a pacifier causes the upper jaw to protrude forward, which can contribute to an overbite.

• Open bite

An open bite is a problem in which the front teeth don’t touch. This is also called an anterior open bite. Thumb sucking or pacifier use can cause an open bite. This is because it changes the way the teeth come together.

• Crossbite

One of the most common orthodontic problems caused by prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use is crossbite. Crossbite occurs when your top teeth bite inside your bottom teeth. This condition can cause uneven wear on your incisors, which can result in the need for tooth extraction.

• Crowding and spacing of the front teeth

Crowding and spacing of the lower front teeth can be the result of prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use. When children remove their thumb or pacifier, they will often begin to suck their finger or their tongue instead. This can result in a posterior open bite, where the back teeth do not meet together properly.

What To Do If You Notice Prolonged Thumb Sucking or Pacifier Use

If your child uses a pacifier, try to limit the amount they use. Also, make sure they don’t use the pacifier after they fall asleep. Thumb sucking is also common in children. They may use thumb sucking as a pacifier to provide comfort. Thumb sucking can cause the space between the top teeth to grow abnormally large, and your son or daughter’s jaw development can be affected as well. Thumb sucking can also affect the development of their facial muscles.

If you have concerns about your child’s pacifiers or thumb sucking, talk to our dentists about them at the next visit. They will be able to detect any orthodontic-related dental issues caused by this habit and correct any problems that may have already occurred. They will also provide recommendations to help your child stop this habit, thus helping their jaws grow and develop in better positions. Our orthodontists will help your child in the following ways

• Fix harmful oral habits
• Guide jaw growth
• Reduce the risk of concussion to protruded front teeth as a result of these oral habits
• Help guide their permanent teeth into accurate positions

If you are looking for more information or help, call our 1954 Del Paso Road Suite 101 dental office at (916) 575-9990 or 544 Pavilions Ln dental office at (916) 923-9168 to schedule your consultation today. We will be happy to guide you towards taking the necessary steps in getting started with your treatment.