How a Kids Dentist Can Help with Thumb Sucking and Other Habits

A kids dentist can help children develop healthy habits that support their oral health and developing mouths. There are things children should be doing, like brushing and flossing regularly. However, breaking bad habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting can be equally as important. If parents struggle with getting their kids to break some of these habits, a kids dentist can help.

Common bad dental habits in kids

The following habits can have consequences for kids oral health, speech development, and smile alignment.

Thumb Sucking

This is a natural reflex for babies and toddlers and something they may do when feeling hungry, anxious, or tired. However, thumb sucking after age 4 starts to become a problem. If not addressed, this habit can contribute to issues with jaw development and smile alignment.

Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding or bruixism happens when people clench and grind their teeth together and most are not entirely aware they are doing it. Usually, it happens at night when kids are completely unaware. Bruixism can wear down enamel making teeth vulnerable to damage and decay.

Tongue Thrusting

Tongue thrusting refers to children pushing the tongue against or between teeth when swallowing. This can also happen while resting or while speaking. Children often grow out of tongue thrusting, but if they do not, it can impact the alignment of permanent teeth, causing an open bite.

How a kids dentist can help

In addition to checking for underlying conditions, A kids dentist will recommend solutions based on the troubling habit and what works for the child.

Behavior modification

A pediatric dentist can recommend behavioral techniques and reward systems to help discourage many of these habits. This includes explaining in simple terms why it is important to break the habit. Additionally, the dentist will suggest specific exercises to help the child overcome their problem habit. Regular rewards for healthy behavior will help reinforce healthier habits.

Oral devices

Sometimes, exercise and behavior modification are not enough. Fortunately, there are oral devices a kid's dentist can recommend to help correct these habits. They include:

Nightguards

These custom-made mouthguards can protect teeth from damage caused by grinding. They are typically worn at night when most teeth grinding occurs.

Tongue crib or tongue guard or rake

These fixed or removable appliances discourage thumb-sucking and tongue thrusting and encourage more neutral tongue placement.

Bluegrass appliance

This device consists of a small bead placed on a wire in the roof of the mouth that the child can play with using their tongue. The goal is to reduce the thumb-sucking urge through distraction.

Lip bumper

A limp bumper discourages thumb sucking by creating a barrier that prevents the thumb from reaching the front teeth.