How dummies and thumb sucking affect the teeth
How long-term dummy use and thumb sucking affect the bite, gentle ways to give up the habit and when to see a dentist.
AuthorDr. Fidan HasanzadePaediatric dentist, treatment under sedation
Dummies and thumb sucking are a natural way for babies to soothe themselves. The problem begins when the habit goes on for a long time: because the teeth, palate and jaws are still forming, constant pressure can change the direction in which they grow.
What changes can happen
- Open bite: the front teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed
- Crossbite: the upper and lower back teeth do not meet properly
- Upper front teeth sticking out
- A narrowed palate
Systematic reviews show that dummy use and thumb sucking are linked in particular to open bite and crossbite. The longer the habit continues, the greater the risk.
How to help a child give up the habit
- Do not scold or shame the child: pressure can strengthen the habit
- Reduce the dummy first during the day, then at sleep time
- Notice when the child sucks: tiredness, boredom, fear
- Praise small successes and track them with stars on a calendar
- If it continues, come for a check-up: there are also reminder appliances when needed
If the habit stops early, some of the changes may improve on their own. So do not put off the check-up.
Scientific sources
The information in this article is based on the following peer-reviewed scientific articles and international clinical guidelines.
- Doğramacı, E. J., & Rossi-Fedele, G. (2016). Establishing the association between nonnutritive sucking behavior and malocclusions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Dental Association, 147(12), 926-934.e6. [PMID: 27692622] | [DOI: 10.1016/j.adaj.2016.08.018]
- Borrie, F. R., Bearn, D. R., Innes, N. P., & Iheozor-Ejiofor, Z. (2015). Interventions for the cessation of non-nutritive sucking habits in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015(3), CD008694. [PMID: 25825863] | [DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008694.pub2]
