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Sucking can be of nutritive value, self-soothing, and a
pleasurable oral reflex. Soon after birth, the child has a reflexive behavior
for sucking. Anything kept in the mouth will be sucked. Usually, this reflex will go
by 4 months of age. If it persists beyond this age it becomes a habit that can
pose some orthodontic
problems to the teeth.
Aetiology
of Thumb Sucking:
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2.
Hunger satisfaction: If the child remains not
completely fed then he/she fulfills his hunger by sucking his digits
3.
Sense of Insecurity: The child derives a sense
of comfort and security by sucking his digits
Digit sucking habit in the early years is acceptable. The
child usually should be off the habit by the time the permanent dentition
starts to be seen. So thumb sucking up to the age of 5-6 yrs is acceptable. If the habit persists beyond this time it
could have deleterious effects on the dentition.
Effects of
Thumb Sucking
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2.
Retroclination of lower front teeth (the lower
front teeth move back)
3.
Reduced inter canine distance (the tongue is
positioned lower in the mouth thereby it is not able to counteract the forces
of the buccal or cheek musculature and hence they tend to reduce the distance
between the two canines)
4.
Posterior crossbite (the upper teeth move in and
do not have any articulation with the lower teeth 5.
Incompetent lips (because the upper front teeth
are proclined, the child is not able to close his lips)
6.
Anterior open bite: ( there is no overlap of the
front teeth)
Treatment
For Avoiding Thumb Sucking
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1.
Reward technique: Tell the child about the ill effects
of the habit. When he/she does not indulge in the habit for a few hours at least in the day reward them. This positively reinforces the child.
2.
Keep the child engaged in some activities and do
not let them feel lonely.
3.
Take
a dentists consultation: He might be a better person to show the pictures
of children with thumb sucking and convince the child not to indulge in the
habit
4.
Try putting on mittens or bandage on the finger
at night
5.
You can use home remedies like bitter or sour
tasting liquid to be applied to the finger or even bitter tasting nail paints
are available in the market.
6.
If none of these remedies work an orthodontic the appliance may be required
Orthodontic appliances are made with a crib
behind the upper incisors which will not give the satisfaction that the child
gets with thumb sucking. The placement of thumb will not be possible in the
same way as earlier hence the child learns to give away the habit.
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