Babies begin to suck on thumbs and fingers before they are born. It provides security for them. Most children stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers, or fingers on their own between the ages of two to four years. No harm is done to their teeth or jaws. However, some children continue these habits much longer, and this is where problems can occur.
Habits can be responsible for a number of problems.
Thumb and finger habits can cause an anterior open bite, facial movement of the upper incisors, lingual movement of the lower incisors, and constriction of the maxillary arch. Lip sucking and lip biting can procline the maxillary incisors, retrocline the mandibular incisors and increase he amount of overjet. Tongue thrusting and mouthbreathing may also play a part in the creation of a malocclusion. An anterior open bite is the most common dental problem associated with the anomalies. As a pediatric dentist, we observe these habits in children, and stand ready to make recommendations should we feel the child is displaying these habits for too long a period of time.