Sucking is a natural reflex in infants and they often begin to suck on their thumbs or other fingers while they are in the womb. Sucking on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers or other objects creates a sense of security for infants and children and often experts refer to pacifiers as transitional objects, — that is, something that relieves stress and helps your child adjust to new or challenging situations. In view of this, many parents are curious about the positive and negative effects of thumb or pacifier sucking.
Pro’s:
“Contrary to popular belief, there are some positive effects that result from sucking on pacifiers,” says Jane Soxman, DDS, author of the study and Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. “One is that they assist in reducing the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Babies who are offered a pacifier do not sleep as deeply as those who sleep without a pacifier. Pacifier sucking makes it possible for the infant to be aroused from a deep sleep that could result in the stopping of breathing. Pacifiers also increase sucking satisfaction and provide a source of comfort to infants.”
Con’s:
Although pacifier use does have its positive effects, parents should be aware of their very real negative effects on an infant’s oral health. The presence of a pacifier can cause changes in proper oral development, which may lead to tooth and skeletal malformation. The long-term use of a pacifier influences the shape of the mouth and the alignment of the teeth, as jaws grow around anything held inside the mouth on a repeat basis. As the upper front teeth tip forward due to the pressure of the pacifier or thumb, teeth may become crooked and bite problems can result. Cases of thumb sucking or pacifier usage with extreme force may permanently affect the position of the incoming adult teeth and change the shape of the jaws.
At what age should this habit stop?
It is suggested that children should stop using pacifiers by age 2. “Up until the age of 2, any alignment problems with the teeth or the developing bone is usually corrected within a 6-month period after pacifier use is stopped.” says AGD spokesperson Luke Matranga, DDS, MAGD, ABGD.
Thumb sucking or pacifier?
Thumb-sucking might seem like a natural, safer alternative to pacifiers, but for a few important reasons, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends pacifiers over thumbs. Infants certainly love to suck and many self-soothe by sucking their thumbs. However when the time comes to discourage the habit, it is far easier to control pacifier use than it is to prevent thumb-sucking. Parents are advised to use one-piece pacifiers without liquid interiors, gadgets or moving parts and clean them regularly. Dipping pacifiers in sweet liquids should also be avoided.
Breaking the habit:
Most children stop sucking their thumbs or other fingers on their own between the ages of 2 and 4 years. The behaviour declines during this period, as children spend more of their waking hours exploring their environment. If the habit is prolonged, a conscious effort must be made to stop it. Breaking the pacifier habit is not always easy, and there are several methods parents can use to stop it.
Praise your child for not sucking. Provide a reward such as a star chart or a tooth-friendly prize for each night that goes by pacifier-free. Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort. Focus on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child. Do not to scold or punish your child if sucking continues. Rather than stopping the habit, this actually may increase the child’s anxiety and increase the sucking
For an older child, involve him or her in choosing the method of stopping. Your dentist can offer encouragement to your child and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking.
If these tips don’t work, remind the child of their habit by bandaging the thumb or applying a bitter medication to coat the thumb. Your dentist may go on to make a mouth appliance that will assist in breaking the habit.
