Thumb sucking habits can leave parents at their wits end. After trying everything at home including nasty tasting coatings painted on the thumb and reward systems, parents are often told that a habit breaking appliance needs to be cemented into their child’s mouth. These dental “habit breakers” are torturous looking. This is suggested because dental professionals know the detrimental impact prolonged thumb-sucking or finger sucking can have on the developing mouth and speech.
When a thumb or finger is in the way – tongue placement is not optimal. The intensity of habits like these can shape bone (roof of the mouth often reflects this), and prevent eruption of adult teeth into the optimal position – or move teeth dramatically. When there is an open bite, as there is in this pre-treatment photo – the tongue can often be seen thrusting into the open space.
It is recommended by the International Association of Orofacial Myology that habit breaking devices NOT be cemented in the mouth- as these devices displace the tongue from it’s optimal resting position and encourage low resting tongue posture which can lead to a whole new set of issues for the child.
Thumb sucking habit breaking therapy is very successful and offered at Lifetime Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic
Kari Frantz BA, RDH, OMT a registered Orofacial Myologist has been trained in orofacial therapy and can assist in eliminating thumb and finger sucking habits – without the need for a dental appliance cemented. Give us a call or email us with your questions. Behavior modification therapy often results in habit elimination in just 10 days. We are here to set your child up for success !! Currently, the complete cost for this therapy is $250.
