Parenthood is beautiful and rewarding, but let’s be honest: it’s challenging! Kids pick up so many quirks and habits through the years and it can be difficult to tell which ones are harmless, and which ones are harmful.
Mouthy habits, like using a pacifier after the recommended age, finger-sucking/thumb-sucking, and nail biting, may seem innocent, but they can have a significant impact on your little one’s health.
Dr. Rebecca Day and the Sunny Day team are here to keep you informed and in-the-know, so you can help your child smile for a lifetime. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- Common childhood habits: Finger-sucking, nail biting and pacifier use
- Why these habits are damaging
- How to help your child break these habits
1. Finger-sucking/thumb-sucking
Why do kids suck their thumbs? Thumb or finger sucking is a common soothing mechanism for children.
Babies have natural rooting and sucking reflexes (which encourages them to breastfeed) and this causes them to put their thumbs or fingers in their mouths. A lot of babies start sucking their thumbs in the womb! Thumb-sucking is healthy, makes babies feel secure, and helps them sleep.
Harmful effects of thumb-sucking
According to The Journal of the American Dental Association, most children stop sucking their thumbs on their own, between the ages of 2 and 4. If your child is still sucking their thumb through this age range, it’s important that you take measures to help your child break this habit.
Prolonged sucking can lead to changes in the roof of the mouth, misalignment of teeth, and potential speech issues:
- Open bite: Thumb-sucking often creates malocclusion (teeth and jaw misalignment), and is associated with an open bite condition. When a child places consistent pressure on the back surfaces of their teeth with their thumb, the front teeth start to protrude outward. Open bites often require orthodontics to realign the teeth and jaw bones.
- Speech impediments: Thumb-sucking can create abnormal tongue patterns and tongue placement, as well as changes in jaw shape, which can lead to a lisp when speaking.
How to stop your baby from sucking their thumb
Dr. Day recommends three potential treatment routes to help your child break the thumb-sucking or finger-sucking habit:
- Mavala Stop nail polish: Mavala Stop is a specialized clear nail polish used to stop thumbsucking. It has a bitter taste, designed to discourage finger sucking after the age of 3. Mavala Stop ingredients are safe, considered ‘worry-free’, and do not contain formaldehyde, phthalate, toluene and other chemicals commonly found in nail polish. It is most effective if applied daily or every other day because children will often pick it off or suck it off.
- T-guard thumb guard: T-guard is a soft, flexible, medical-grade thumb guard that can help your child put an end to their thumbsucking habit! The design of the T-guard prevents suction, which eliminates the desirable aspect of thumbsucking. The T-guard is a painless, non-restrictive way to break the habit in 30 days or less.
- Thumb-sucking appliance: We also offer the thumb-crib appliance, also called the palatal crib appliance, for older children. This is an orthodontic appliance attached to the upper molars to create a barrier that prevents the thumb from resting comfortably in the roof of the mouth. Thumb-sucking becomes less satisfying with this obstacle, which gradually discourages the habit. This is the most aggressive method, and we like to exhaust the previous 2 methods before relying on the thumb-crib appliance. The child must be motivated to stop in order for this appliance to be successful.
If you have any questions about using Mavala Stop nail polish, the T-guard or the thumb-crib thumb-sucking appliance, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re eager to answer your questions and help your child develop healthier dental habits.
2. Pacifier use
Like thumb-sucking, using a pacifier is a habit that helps your child self-soothe and satisfy their natural rooting and sucking reflexes. According to the AAPD, using a pacifier can help infants develop their sucking reflexes, self-soothe, relieve pain or discomfort during minor procedures, and even decrease the incidence of SIDS.
However, using a pacifier longer than recommended can have adverse effects on a child’s dental development.
Effects of pacifier on teeth
After age 3, children should be encouraged to stop using a pacifier to prevent potential challenges:
- Dependency: Children can become dependent on their pacifiers, causing them to cry and feel uncomfortable anytime the pacifier is not in their mouth.
- Dental misalignments: The same way thumb-sucking applies outward pressure on teeth, using a pacifier for a prolonged period can push teeth outward and require orthodontics or even corrective jaw surgery to reverse damage.
- Middle ear infection: Prolonged pacifier use is associated with an increased risk of acute otitis media, or middle ear infection. The risk of developing a middle ear infection is two times greater with pacifier use, because this behavior changes the pressure in the throat and ears.
When and how to start pacifier weaning
It’s recommended that children stop using a pacifier by age 3 (but it’s best to begin weaning around age 2) to prevent challenging conditions. At Sunny Day, we have a paci-fairy who you can bring your pacifiers to when your child is ready to kick the habit!
Consider giving your little one a reward for relinquishing their prized pacifier – like a tooth fairy reward, a special treat or a desired activity.
To wean your child off his or her pacifier, you can take it away “cold turkey” all at once, or you can gradually remove the pacifier from their routine. The best route depends on what works best for you, your child and your family.
For the progressive method, restrict pacifier use to naps and nighttime and slowly progress to no pacifier at all. Start working on establishing pacifier-free periods for your little one to experience sleeping, relaxing or playing without his or her pacifier. This will help your child with the transition. Your child will eventually learn that they can do without it! Frida-baby has a great pacifier weaning system. Typically (and fortunately), the process is much easier than we make it out to be. You can do it!
3. Nail biting
Like thumb sucking and finger sucking, nail biting is a common childhood habit. Kids may bite their nails in response to stress, anxiety, or out of sheer boredom. Nail biting generally begins in toddlers, but this habit can stick around into adulthood if measures aren’t taken to correct it.
Effects of nail biting on teeth and overall health
While nail biting may seem harmless, it can actually harm your child’s dental health as well as his or her overall health!
- Exposure to bacteria: When you bite your nails, all of the bacteria that was behind your nails is now in your mouth. This allows viruses to pass through your body and cause infections.
- Effects on teeth: Exerting pressure on the teeth and jaws by biting your nails can cause teeth to move out of place, leading to malocclusion (misalignment) or dental wear.
How to stop nail biting
Mavala Stop nail polish can help prevent your child from thumb sucking and nail biting. This bitter-tasting clear nail polish is not pleasant to chew, bite or lick, which takes away the rewarding feeling of biting your nails.
When applied to your child’s nails, Mavala Stop nail polish and its distinctive ‘flavor’ serve as a constant reminder to keep their fingers away from their mouth. Over time, the desire to bite your nails will disappear! It is most effective if applied daily or every other day, because children will often pick it off or suck it off.
Still have questions about your little one’s habits?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at (225) 924-2010! Our team is fully invested in your little one’s dental health. We’re happy to discuss these common habits with you and explore the best treatment options to work with your child’s unique needs.
As a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist and a loving mother herself, Dr. Day has a genuine understanding of the unique needs of children and their parents. Our mission is to provide the most outstanding and caring pediatric care in Baton Rouge and Addis, LA.
Find out what sets us apart from other pediatric dentists; explore our personalized dental services, and come visit us in Baton Rouge or Addis!
