Riverside Dental

Make An Appointment
  • Home
  • About
    • Riverside Drive Office
    • Washington Office
  • Services
    • Smile Gallery
    • Bruxism
    • Composite Fillings
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Crowns
    • Dental Cleanings
    • Dentures
    • Dental Emergency
    • Dental Implants
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Tooth Extraction
    • Veneers
  • New Patient Info
    • New Patient Forms
  • Community
    • Blog
    • Smile Makeovers
    • Newsletter
  • Financing
  • Contact
    • Riverside: 435-673-3363
    • Washington: 435-656-4441

Does Thumb Sucking Impact My Child’s Teeth?

June 8, 2020 By Riverside Dental Leave a Comment

Affects Of Thumb sucking on childs teeth

As a parent, it’s easy to be worried about behavior that could potentially have long-term effects on their child’s health. Dental and orthodontic health are commodities that are emerging and now more freely and readily available to children than ever before. Many children require braces or headgear to correct cosmetic or medical concerns. Parents may wonder, if their young child sucks their thumb, how it may impact their child’s dental health in the future. This article will address common questions and concerns regarding thumb-sucking.

  • Does Thumb-Sucking Damage The Teeth?
  • What Are The Long-Term Side Effects Of Thumb Sucking?
  • At What Age Should My Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb?

Does Thumb-Sucking Damage Teeth?

This really depends on your child’s specific behavior. Many children, as all parents know, often like to have things in their mouth, whether it be their own hand, toys, or really anything they can get their hands on! If the child simply has their thumb in their mouth and is not actively sucking on it, the likelihood that this will cause long term damage to the teeth is low. While it is okay for the teeth for the child to have their thumb in their mouth, it may cause the child to be exposed to potentially harmful viruses and bacteria, as well as dust/dirt from the ground. When the child is old enough, enforcing good hand hygiene habits may prevent the child from getting sick.

While inactively having the thumb in the mouth may not inflict harm, children who actively suck on their thumb may cause some damage. Baby teeth are sensitive, and thumb sucking may cause them to loosen or be damaged. The good news is, any damage that is caused to baby teeth by thumb sucking usually does not impact the health of adult teeth when they come in later in the child’s life.

What Are The Long-Term Side Effects Of Thumb Sucking?

There are some long-term side effects of chronic, active thumb sucking.

Roof Of Mouth Sensitivity

This may not seem like a large problem, but thumb sucking may cause the roof of the child’s mouth to become more sensitive. This may, in fact, cause feeding issues with the child, especially when introducing foods that are very hot or cold.

Overbite & Underbite

Actively sucking on the thumb, especially with excessive force, should shape the child’s bite. Overbites are common and can be corrected later with braces and headgear with the help of an orthodontist. It is important to remember that children may develop overbites without thumb sucking as well. Since dental and orthodontic procedures can be expensive, helping ease the child out of the thumb-sucking habits, such as trying to replace thumb sucking with a comfort item like a stuffed animal or blanket, may be beneficial.

Teeth Alignment

Thumb sucking may impact the shape of the child’s jaw, thus causing improper teeth alignment. After permanent teeth come in your child’s mouth, thumb-sucking may cause problems with proper growth and alignment of the teeth. It can also cause changes to the roof of your child’s mouth.

Rest assured that these issues typically do not cause long-term problems, given that the child’s thumb-sucking habits are broken by the time their adult teeth come in.

At What Age Should My Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb?

Each child is unique and on their own timeline. The earlier you can try to break this habit the better, as if the habit continues later into adolescence, it can cause long-term damage that will require dental and orthodontic work to correct. If your child is old enough, involve your child in this process instead of forcing solutions onto them. For example, you could ask them for solutions and other healthier habits that could replace thumb sucking.

In the end, it is important not to worry too much about your child’s thumb sucking. Be cognizant and aware of thumb sucking that progresses past when adult teeth are in, and be sure to consult with your dentist if you have any other concerns. Your dental team is highly trained and equipped to address these issues, and will be happy to work with you and your child to ensure the best dental health possible.

Filed Under: General Dentistry

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Send your Resume

  • Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 8 MB.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Make An Appointment

Meet Riverside Dental Care

Let us be your St. George Dentist! As the premier St. George dental office, we work hard to make sure you enjoy your trip to the dentist by providing the most advanced dental care. To schedule an appointment, please call our office at 435-673-3363 or click on the link above and fill out the Appointment Request Form.

Recent Blog Posts

  • What Is Cosmetic Dentistry? Your Guide to a Better Smile in St. George, UT

    What Is Cosmetic Dentistry? Cosmetic dentistry refers to dental procedures that improve...
  • Why One Dental Home Is Best: The Benefits of Choosing a Family Dentist for Everyone in Your Household

    Life is busy, and managing multiple schedules is no small feat. Between...
  • Smile Makeover: 2025

    [su_row][su_column size="1/1" center="no" class="topheading"] Smile Makeover: 2025 A  Journey to Confidence: Heaven...
  • Why Are My Teeth Stained? Causes, Types, and How to Get a Whiter Smile

    Are Teeth Stains Ruining Your Smile? You brush, you floss, you rinse—but...
  • Top 7 Reasons to Never Skip Your Dental Cleanings

    Skipping the Dentist? Here’s Why That’s a Big Mistake We all get...
  • Transform Your Smile with Riverside Dental Group’s Expert Cosmetic Dentistry

    At Riverside Dental Group, we believe a confident smile can change your...
  • Protect Your Smile: How to Prevent and Treat Gum Disease in Utah’s Dry Climate

    Utah is no stranger to extreme temperatures. Our state experiences blazing summers...
  • The Connection Between Oral Health and Heart Disease: What St. George Residents Need to Know

    When you visit your dentist, usually you hear lectures about flossing and...
  • The Truth About Dry Mouth: Why St. George’s Climate Might Be Affecting Your Oral Health

    Living in St. George, Utah, you're probably used to the stunning red...
  • Sedation Dentistry in St. George: Making Dental Visits Comfortable and Stress-Free

    Fear of going to the dentist is a real thing. It even...

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule an appointment you can call us at

(435) 673-3363

Or click on the "Request Appointment" button below to fill out our online form.

Make an appointment

If you have a dental Emergency, please call this number for help:

(435) 673-3363


stgeorgesmiles@gmail.com

LINKS

  • New Patients
  • Patient Forms
  • Schedule Appointment
  • Financing Options
  • Dental Services
  • Dental Emergency
  • About Us
  • Reviews
  • Community
  • Blog
  • Contact

Washington Location

(435) 656-4441
826 S 3000 E Ste 2
St George, UT 84790
Get Directions

Riverside Location

(435) 673-3363
368 E. Riverside Dr. Ste 2A
St. George, UT 84790
Get Directions
Copyright © 2025 Riverside Dental Care. All Rights Reserved
MENU
  • Home
  • About
    • Riverside Drive Office
    • Washington Office
  • Services
    • Smile Gallery
    • Bruxism
    • Composite Fillings
    • Cosmetic Dentistry
    • Crowns
    • Dental Cleanings
    • Dentures
    • Dental Emergency
    • Dental Implants
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Tooth Extraction
    • Veneers
  • New Patient Info
    • New Patient Forms
  • Community
    • Blog
    • Smile Makeovers
    • Newsletter
  • Financing
  • Contact
    • Riverside: 435-673-3363
    • Washington: 435-656-4441
Make an appointment
Washington Location Appointment
Riverside Location Appointment