A member asked:

Does sucking your thumb cause your front two teeth to stick out of place and create dentistry problems?

14 doctors weighed in across 7 answers

Eventually: If we are talking about a young infant, it should be okay, but as children get older, thumb sucking can definitely alter alignment of teeth.

Answered 4/15/2015

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Dr. Bruce Pope answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Not always: It depends on how long each day the thumb is between the teeth and how hard the child is sucking the thumb. Usually children stop on there own when they start school from peer pressure and and their front teeth start falling out. If a child is sucking hard and frequently, there is a reason. Often they feel insecure. A dental appliance won't fix insecurity.

Answered 4/15/2015

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Yes: Done long enough and at a later age, this activity not only can cause dental problems with the front teeth sticking our but other serious orthopedic problems with keeping the lower jaw back and not to develop. Check with general dentist or orthodontist that treats interceptive functional orthopedics.

Answered 4/15/2015

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Yep...: Thumb or finger sucking, or other objects being sucked on continually will change the shape of ones mouth, the arrangement of the teeth (not just the two front one). It's like have braces on. Except the brackets are your fingers or thumbs and that sucking action causing the movement over time.

Answered 5/12/2015

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Dr. Paul Grin answered

Specializes in Pain Management

Age and Intensity: Sucking your thumb won't harm baby teeth, but it should be addressed by the time that permanent teeth arrive, which is around age 5-13. The intensity of thumb sucking will affect the extent of the damage, the habit could impact the shape of the mouth and malocclusion. See an orthodontist for evaluation and habit appliance.

Answered 4/16/2015

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Dr. Robert Chin answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Thrum sucking: Yes. Some children place there thumb in the mouth but are not actively sucking on the thumb. These cases the child may be trying to improve breathing by just propping the mouth open. Usually this can be seen while the child is sleeping. The child may also exhibit a narrow arch in the front and a high roof of the mouth. Early diagnosis and treatment is recommended.

Answered 5/24/2015

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Dr. Theodore Davantzis answered

Specializes in Dentistry

It could: Depends on your age and other factors.

Answered 5/24/2015

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