Babies have natural instincts that drive them to root (turn their head toward a food source like a nipple or bottle) and suck.

Rooting and sucking reflexes are present from birth, and possibly even before birth.

Since these reflexes are how a baby gets fed, they become deeply connected to feelings of relaxation and safety. The rooting reflex usually goes away by about six months of age, but the soothing effect that comes with sucking can persist for several years.

For many children, that sense of comfort leads them to suck their thumb, fingers, or a pacifier throughout their early childhood.

But when do these habits become a problem, and what should you do about them if your child can’t seem to break the habit?

How Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers Affect Tooth Development

The bones in the roof of a baby’s mouth and the upper dental arch grow according to pressure from their tongue, jaw joints, cheeks, and lips.

Objects like a thumb, fingers, or pacifier can change how these forces press against the developing bone, leading to changes in its shape.

Both pacifier and thumb sucking habits create strong flexing in the cheeks, which can put pressure against the sides of the upper jaw and cause it to become narrower than it normally would.

Pacifiers prevent the tongue from sitting in its ideal position, resting against the back of the top teeth and laying along the palate (roof of the mouth). Without the tongue pushing in the right places, the palate may be too narrow, or the front teeth may be angled in a way that prevents them from touching when the child bites down.

Thumb and finger sucking often has more severe consequences for healthy development. Because they’re a lot more rigid than a pacifier, thumbs and fingers can lead to an intense curve in the roof of the mouth, as though it’s trying to wrap around the thumb.

This brings the left and right sides of the dental arch closer together, causing serious bite issues as the teeth develop and potentially changing the shape of their face permanently.

When Should a Child Stop Using a Pacifier?

Pacifiers can be incredibly helpful for soothing a fussy baby. In fact, they may also help reduce a baby’s risk for SIDS.

However, they’re a bit of a double-edged sword. Daily pacifier use has been identified as a risk factor for certain types of ear infections, so if your baby gets them frequently, you may want to reduce or eliminate pacifier use.

In general, we start seeing effects on the teeth and palate when children use a pacifier beyond about 3 years old, so it’s best to try and wean them off it by then.

There is some evidence that prolonged pacifier use might interfere with speech development, but more research needs to be done.

It also becomes a lot more difficult for kids to break the habit if they’re still using a pacifier by the time they’re around 4 years old.

Never give your child honey with a pacifier, either by dipping it or in a commercially-available honey-filled pacifier. Honey can expose children to botulism, which is a potentially deadly neurotoxin. Plus, the sugar increases risks for cavities.

Strategies for Thumb Sucking

Thumb and finger sucking can be a much harder habit to break than pacifier use. After all, it’s not like you can just take them away!

Most children stop sucking their thumb on their own by the time they’re about 3 years old. But if your little one is struggling to quit, here are a few strategies that might help.

1. Figure out why your child sucks their thumb.

Does your child suck their thumb when they’re feeling nervous, timid, or afraid? Or do they need it to fall asleep?

Identifying the reasons your little one resorts to thumb sucking can help you create strategies tailored to their specific needs. For example, an anxious child might need more support in loud or busy environments, where the night time thumb sucker might need a new bedtime routine.

2. Keep it positive.

Scolding a child for thumb sucking will increase feelings of shame and anxiety, which can make them want to do it even more. It’s tempting to say things like, “only babies suck their thumb and you’re not a baby,” but adding to insecurity will probably make your child seek out a trusted source of comfort, which has been thumb sucking in the past.

Instead, notice when they’re not doing it and praise that success.

It can also be helpful to be empathetic about how hard it is to stop, and how comforting it is when they feel like they need it. If they know you understand what they’re struggling with, they may feel more secure following your cues to stop.

3. Offer alternatives.

Does your child need something to keep their hands busy? Do they need you to hold them or take them to a quiet place when they feel timid or anxious?

If you know your child is facing a high-stress situation where they would normally suck their thumb, ask them what else could help them feel better, such as bringing a favorite stuffed animal.

However, it’s important to note that thumb sucking can often be paired with a specific item, such as a blanket or stuffed animal, which can in itself become a trigger for the habit. So it might be necessary to remove the item until the habit can be broken.

4. Set attainable goals.

Quitting any habit can feel overwhelming. Just like any other lifestyle change, approaching it incrementally can give you better, longer-lasting results.

Try setting a timer for one hour and reward your child if they’re able to make it an hour without sucking their thumb. Then, increase slowly from there.

You can also keep track of days with no thumb sucking. You can have the child put stickers on a calendar for each success, which can help them see progress and become a reward in and of itself.

5. Get help from a professional.

Some children have an intense need to suck their thumb and can’t stop on their own. While there are lots of products out there that claim to help, they don’t work for many kids.

If you’ve tried everything and feel like you’re out of options, talk to us!

We can connect you with an orthodontist who can create an appliance that will prevent thumb from creating suction against the roof of the mouth. We typically recommend this as a last resort.

How Can Our Team Help?

If you’re trying to help your child quit a habit like sucking their thumb or pacifier, and feel like you’re both struggling, talk to us!

We can help you gently explain to your child how thumb sucking may make their teeth less healthy. We can offer rewards to help reinforce your motivation. (We can’t tell you how many kids have been swayed by the promise of extra treasure from the treasure chest if they can stop sucking their thumb.)

Remember that it’s a serious challenge for some kids. Putting too much pressure on them can actually delay the process even more.

At the end of the day, if the permanent teeth are affected by it, we’ll help you get set up with an excellent orthodontist to line things up in a few years. Keep smiling, Orlando!