Did you know that thumb sucking can cause speech issues and impact the development of your child’s airways, face, and jaws?

Thumb sucking is often thought of as just a habit that your child will grow out of, but prolonged thumb sucking can cause problems for your little one including:

• Tongue thrust
• Excessive overjet/overbite
• Incorrect jaw and facial development
• High and narrow arch palate
• Errors with speech articulation (such as a lisp)
• Nail and skin infections
• Repeated worm infections

It’s important to note that if your child needs to have speech therapy or orthodontic treatment due to a thumb sucking habit, it is important to address the habit first.

How can we help? 

Our Certified Thumbsucking Clinic Provider will help both you and your child understand why they are sucking in a fun and informative discussion with no judgement or criticism. Thumb sucking is often an addiction and we understand how difficult and frustrating it can be.

We believe in taking a personalised approach, listening and understanding, and high-fives. Our goal is to help families address the frustrations of thumb sucking and its impact on your child’s growth and development – no matter your child’s age.

What does treatment involve?

The first step is to come in for a comprehensive assessment. At this appointment, we will gather a detailed history, perform a thorough intra-oral and extra-oral assessment, screen for any sleep, airway, and/or developmental issues that may be contributing, and take photos and measurements.

We will then collate this information and determine, along with our dentists and allied health team, what may be contributing to your child’s sucking habit, if any underlying issues need to be addressed before we try to break the habit, and the appropriate course of treatment for your individual child.

In order to break the habit, it may be suggested that a QUIT Program is carried out over a 4-month period with our Certified Thumb Sucking Clinic Provider. Our QUIT program is designed to empower and encourage your child to work toward breaking their habit. You’ll also learn personalised strategies on what you can do to help reduce the impact of their thumb or finger sucking habit.

Results vary between children, and success depends on individual factors including your child’s readiness and commitment.

To find out more about our Thumb Sucking Program and how we may be able to help, contact us at KIDS.