Dummy and Thumb Sucking

For most infants, the sucking of thumbs and dummy is a happy, everyday part of life.  Since sucking is a natural, instinctual baby habit, infants derive a sense of comfort, relaxation, and security from using a thumb or pacifier as a sucking aid.

It is recommended to cease these habits before the age of two years old.  Thumb sucking can be a harder habit to break and tends to persist for longer without intervention.  Children who continue to suck thumbs or pacifiers after the age of five (and particularly those who continue after permanent teeth begin to emerge) are at high-risk for developing dental complications.

Below is an overview of some of the risks associated with prolonged thumb sucking and pacifier use:

• Jaw misalignment – Dummies come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, most of which are completely unnatural for the mouth to hold.  Over time, dummies and thumbs can guide the developing jaws out of correct alignment.
• Tooth decay – Many parents attempt to soothe infants by dipping dummies in honey, or some other sugary substance.  Oral bacteria feed on sugar and produces harmful acids.  The acids attack tooth enamel and can lead to pediatric tooth decay and childhood caries.
• Roof narrowing – The structures in the mouth are extremely soft during childhood.  Prolonged, repeated exposure to thumb and dummy sucking actually cause the roof of the mouth to narrow (as if moulding around the sucking device).  This can cause later problems with developing teeth.
• Slanting teeth – Growing teeth can be caused to slant or protrude by thumb and dummy sucking, leading to poor aesthetic results.  In addition, thumb sucking and dummy use in later childhood increases the need for extensive orthodontic treatments.
• Mouth sores – Passive sucking is much less harmful than aggressive sucking.  Aggressive sucking (popping sounds when the child sucks) may cause sores or ulcers to develop.

If you do intend to purchase a dummy:

• Buy a one-piece dummy to reduce the risk of choking
• Buy an “orthodontically correct” model
• Do not dip it in honey or any other sugary liquid
• Rinse with water (as opposed to cleansing with your mouth) to prevent bacterial transmissions

In most cases, children naturally stop the gabit of sucking dummy or thumb over time.  As children grow, they develop new ways to self-soothe, relax, and entertain themselves.  When thumb sucking or dummy use persists past the age of five, a gentle intervention may be required.

Here are some helpful suggestions to help encourage the child to cease thumb sucking or dummy use:

• Ask the pediatric dentist or the orthodontist to speak with the child about stopping.  Often, the message is heard more clearly when delivered by a health professional.
• Fit a recommended specialized dental appliance to make it difficult for the child to engage in sucking behaviours.
• Implement a reward system (not a punishment), whereby the child can earn tokens or points towards a desirable reward for not thumb sucking or using a dummy.
• Wrap thumbs in soft cloths or mittens at nighttime.

If the above suggestions do not seem to be working, your pediatric dentist or orthodontist can provide more guidance.  Remember: the breaking of a habit takes time, patience, and plenty of encouragement!