You may have heard claims that it is cruel to put a thumb guard on your child. Perhaps you have been informed that thumb guards can injure a child's mouth or make their hand sore? Perhaps you have heard that thumb guards can be removed by children, proving that they are useless and cannot perform the task they were created for? Thumb Guard myths dispelled here.
When it comes to thumb sucking and finger sucking, some children really do struggle to break their habit. Unfortunately, regular sucking has proven to be detrimental for growing mouths, particularly once adult teeth begin to cut through. Thumb and finger sucking put the sides of the jaw and the softer tissue at the roof of the mouth under pressure. This causes the upper jaw to narrow. A narrow jaw will prevent teeth from aligning correctly. This is a malocclusion.
All the dentists I have spoken to agree that prolonged thumb or finger sucking habits are detrimental to both a child’s teeth and their jaw. Added to this a G.P friend highlighted the risks of Paronychia. For parents of thumb sucking children, the outlook might include some rather unpleasant future orthodontist’s bills too.
Answers to questions concerning babies and thumb sucking. Should parents encourage babies to stop thumb sucking? What are the risks for babies who suck their thumbs? Why toddlers should be encouraged to stop thumb sucking.