Thumb, Finger, Or Pacifier Sucking Habits

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• Malocclusion including cross bite, excessive over-jet, open bite, high narrow arched palate.
• Nasal cavity and maxillary sinuses may develop a narrow and shallow anatomy.
• Normal dental equilibrium is disrupted.
• Increased freeway space causing open mouth rest posture of the lips and low forward rest posture of the tongue.
• Calluses on thumb/or finger.
• Skin or cuticle infections

• Disordered breathing
• Tongue thrusting
• Speech distortions
• Abnormal swallowing patterns for solids and liquids

• Brain produces inhibitor neurotransmitters creating a calming effect.
• Sucking action produces enkephalins and endorphins which are the body’s natural pain killers.
• Continuous sucking strengthens the behavior and deepens the neural pathways creating a learned behavior.

• Difficulty focusing and attention to learning activities.
• Reduction of peer acceptance and or bullying.
• Directly and indirectly affects family dynamics.

Sucking habit treatment is recommended prior to the age of 6, before the adult teeth start to come in.  When the sucking persists past the age of six or becomes chronic (I.e. occurring in two or more settings) it may be time to think about eliminating the sucking habit.

Before making any decisions it is important for you to be knowledgeable about the treatment options.

There are many different treatment approaches available to eliminate a sucking habit.  Psychodynamic therapy, mechanical devices, and behavior modification therapies are common approaches; however the data clearly supports the use of behavior modification.

Our program encompasses conscious awareness, motivation, positive reinforcement and a mini reward system.  Elimination of the sucking habit generally occurs within 10 days and/or nights.