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 Non-nutritive
sucking habits in children under age
5 may cause changes in the primary
dentition but are unlikely to cause
any long-term problems.
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The effects of non-nutritive sucking
habits on developing teeth are minor in infants and
children under age 3 and are usually limited to changes
in the incisor position. Some upper incisors become
tipped toward the lips, whereas others are prevented
from erupting.[4]
Controversy exists over whether the effects of thumb
or finger sucking vs. pacifier sucking on the teeth
differ, but at this time there seems to be no significant
difference, after adjusting for the intensity of the
sucking habit.[5]
The ways in which teeth change as a
result of non-nutritive sucking habits vary with the
intensity (how strong), duration (how long), and frequency
(how often) of the habit as well as with the manner
in which the thumb or fingers are placed in the mouth.
The most common dental signs of an active habit are
- Anterior open bite (the lack of adequate overlap
of the upper and lower incisors when the teeth bite
together).
- Movement of the incisors.
- Maxillary constriction (the hard palate becomes
narrow because of internal pressures and because
of the tongue dropping away from the palate into
the floor of the mouth).
In most cases, any tooth movement resulting
from non-nutritive sucking habits will resolve if
the activity is discontinued before the permanent
teeth erupt.[4]
Non-nutritive sucking habits in children under age
5 may cause changes in the primary dentition but are
unlikely to cause any long-term problems.[6],[7]
 Although
most children discontinue non-nutritive sucking habits
on their own before the permanent teeth begin to erupt,
some continue beyond that stage. If a non-nutritive
sucking habit is not discontinued before the permanent
teeth erupt, the teeth may be affected.[4]
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
(AAPD) supports the individualized approach of evaluating
each child’s oral habits. Where appropriate,
AAPD encourages interventions for non-nutritive sucking
habits to prevent or intercept possible malocclusion
(improper alignment of the jaws and teeth) or skeletal
dysplasia from occurring.[6] |
