A dummy soothes, helps to fall asleep, sometimes rescues a more difficult day. Likewise the thumb - familiar, giving the child a sense of security. The problem begins when this habit continues for too long and too intensively. This is when it can affect not only the position of the teeth, but also the development of the jaw, mandible, tongue and the way we breathe. And this already has an impact on the entire bite.
Why is sucking a natural reflex for a young child?
In infants, sucking is a physiological reflex. With it, the baby not only takes in food, but also calms down and regulates tension. For this reason, the soother itself is not something złym. The thumb also appears for a reason - for many babies it is a form of self-soothing.
In the first months of life, this is perfectly natural. However, it is important to remember that a child's mouth is developing very dynamically. The bones are malleable, the muscles are working intensively and the tongue, lips and cheeks are learning to work together properly. If an incorrect sucking habit is perpetuated during this time, it can gradually change the conditions under which the bite develops.
So it's not that every soother does harm. It is about the timing, frequency and strength of sucking. These are the ones that matter most here.
When do dummies and thumb sucking start to harm the bite?
What matters most is how long the child sucks on the soother or thumb per day and up to what age the habit is maintained. The more frequently and intensively, the greater the pressure on the teeth, gums and developing dental arches.
Concern is usually raised when:
- the child uses the soother for many hours a day,
- falls asleep with a dummy and also uses it during the day,
- habit persists after the age of 2,
- thumb sucking is strong and regular,
- the child puts his finger in his mouth whenever he is tired, stressed or bored.
This is important: not every child will develop a malocclusion. But the risk clearly increases when the habit becomes established. The body is highly adaptable, but with prolonged pressure, changes can occur that do not regress spontaneously.
What malocclusions can develop through dummy or thumb sucking?
Prolonged sucking affects the alignment of the teeth and the way the facial bones grow. Most often, the problem does not appear suddenly. The parent usually notices small signals that become more and more apparent over time.
Open bite - a common effect of prolonged sucking
This is one of the most common abnormalities associated with prolonged dummy use or thumb sucking. Open bite means that there is a gap between the upper and lower front teeth when the mouth is closed. The side teeth can come into contact, but the front no longer does.
The child may then have:
- difficulty biting into food,
- inserting the tongue between the teeth,
- unclear pronunciation of certain sounds,
- constantly slightly parted lips.
It is not just a question of aesthetics. An open bite can affect the function of the entire oral cavity.
Overbite and narrowing of the dental arches
In some children, prolonged sucking also promotes a retraction of the mandible in relation to the maxilla, i.e. backbite. Narrowing of the upper dental arch can also occur. In practice, this means less space for the teeth and a greater tendency to crowding in the squatzł.
Sometimes a parent only notices this after more teeth have erupted. Suddenly it becomes apparent that the teeth do not have enough space, they line up unevenly and the child's smile changes from month to month.
Does the sucking habit also affect tongue positioning and breathing?
Yes, and more often than you might think. Long sucking can perpetuate an incorrect tongue position. Instead of resting high, against the palate, the tongue lowers or goes between the teeth. This in turn can interfere with swallowing and articulation.
In some children, mouth breathing also appears. And then the whole chain of relationships begins: different facial muscle work, worse lip closure, altered jaw growth conditions. Seemingly a small thing, but not quite.
Dummy or thumb - which is worse for oral development?
Many parents ask this question. The answer is not quite zero-one, but in practice thumb-sucking is often more problematic.
Why?
- The thumb is always available.
- It is more difficult to control how long the baby sucks on it.
- Weaning usually takes longer than dummy weaning.
- The pressure of the finger on the teeth and palate can be very strong.
A dummy gives more control. It can be restricted, phased out, not given during the day. The thumb cannot be shelved. This is why this habit is more likely to be perpetuated for longer.
Does an orthodontic teat solve the problem?
An orthodontic soother may have a more favourable shape than a traditional one. It usually fits the child's mouth better and may interfere less with the arrangement of the teeth and tongue. But this does not mean that it completely protects against malocclusion.
If a child uses a soother for a long time and frequently, even its more anatomical form does not remove the risk. It is not only the model of the soother that matters, but above all the duration of the habit.
So it's good to think of an orthodontic soother as a better option rather than a full-blown safety feature.
By what can a parent spot that a habit is affecting their child's bite?
It is not necessary to wait until the defect is pronounced. Before that, there are usually minor signals.
Symptoms to consult your dentist or orthodontist
Pay attention if your child:
- has a permanently open or closed mouth,
- breathes mainly through the mouth,
- puts his tongue between his teeth when speaking or swallowing,
- has a visible gap between the upper and lower teeth at the front,
- bites food incorrectly,
- does not part with a dummy for a long time or regularly sucks his thumb.
The earlier the problem is spotted, the easier it is to assess whether elimination of the habit and observation is enough, or whether more extensive help is needed.
When is a neurological consultation also needed?
When the sucking habit coexists with abnormal tongue position, swallowing difficulties, breathing through the mouth or pronunciation problems, it is worth taking a broader look. Not only through the prism of the teeth.
In such situations, the help of a neurologist can be very valuable. It allows oral function and muscle tone to be assessed and then exercises to be selected to support normal development. This makes sense especially when malocclusion is combined with functional disorders.
When is the best time to stop using a dummy and how do I teach my child to suck his thumb?
A calm, gradual approach works best. No shaming or frightening. A child does not suck his dummy or thumb at the złość of his parents - he seeks reassurance in this way.
How to say goodbye to the soother safely
It can be helpful:
- limiting the dummy at first only to sleep,
- not giving it automatically every time you cry,
- introducing other ways of silencing,
- praising the child for small advances,
- choosing a quiet moment, without big changes in the child's life.
The more consistently but gently a parent acts, the better the effect.
What helps reduce thumb sucking without embarrassing the child
In the case of the thumb, it is important to find the cause. Sometimes the child sucks the finger out of fatigue, sometimes out of tension and sometimes simply out of habit. They can be helpful:
- observing when a habit occurs most frequently,
- redirecting attention to another activity,
- emotional support and calming rituals,
- patience, as this process is rarely quick.
Pressure does not usually work. And it even makes things worse.
When to see an orthodontist with your child?
Not until all permanent teeth have erupted. If a parent sees that a child is sucking on a soother or thumb for a long time, has an open mouth, is breathing through his or her mouth or the teeth are starting to align abnormally, it is worth reporting earlier.
Early consultation makes it possible:
- assess whether the habit has already affected the bite,
- check the development of the jaw,
- determine whether observation, therapy or orthodontic treatment is needed,
- Combine dental and neurological care, if the situation requires it.
W ODENT Medical Centre in Warsaw children can count on comprehensive care in one place. This is important because such problems often involve the cooperation of several specialists: a paediatric dentist, an orthodontist and sometimes a neurologist. Such a model makes it easier for parents to act and allows them to look at their child's development holistically.
FAQ
Does a dummy always cause malocclusion?
No. The risk depends on the child's age, the duration of use of the soother, the frequency and strength of sucking. Short-term use of a soother does not necessarily lead to abnormalities.
Up to what age can a child use a dummy?
It is best not to drag this habit out. The earlier it can be extinguished, the less risk there is of affecting the development of occlusion. Particular care should be taken after the age of 2.
Is thumb sucking worse than a dummy?
Very often yes, because the thumb is constantly available and it is more difficult to curb this habit. Children usually part with their dummy more easily than with their finger.
Is an orthodontic teat safe for the bite?
It can be more beneficial than a regular soother, but it does not offer full protection. When the habit lasts a long time, it can still affect tooth alignment and oral development.
How do you recognise that sucking has affected your child's bite?
Signals can be an unclosed mouth, breathing through the mouth, a gap between the front teeth, slipping the tongue between the teeth or a visible change in the alignment of the teeth.
When is it a good idea to consult a specialist for your child?
Preferably when the habit persists and the parent sees the first signs of abnormality. Earlier assessment gives a better chance of simpler management.
