Thumb Sucking

For most kids, using a pacifier or sucking their thumb is quite common in the early years and usually doesn't last long. These habits typically don’t cause any major issues with the development of mouth muscles, teeth positioning, or speech when they're short-lived. However, if these habits continue for several years, they might lead to problems with how the muscles in the front of the mouth work. For example, while the lips and surrounding areas might be overly active, other important muscles, like the ones in the cheeks, might not be working as much. This can also lead to the tongue pushing forward more than usual when at rest or when swallowing.

This forward tongue position, known as a tongue thrust, is normal in young children but should naturally change to a more mature swallowing pattern by around age 9. If it doesn't, it could lead to issues with how the teeth line up and how clearly a child speaks. Certain speech sounds, like "s," "z," "t," "d," "l," and "n," can be particularly hard to say correctly because they rely heavily on the correct tongue position. Sometimes, other sounds are affected too, especially if the roof of the mouth is shaped unusually.

It's important for parents to keep an eye on how long their child uses a pacifier or sucks their thumb. While minor changes in mouth structure don’t usually affect speech, a family dentist can check if these habits are causing any significant issues with teeth alignment. If tongue thrusting persists, it's a good idea to consult a speech-language pathologist (SLP). They can assess the situation in detail and provide effective interventions. Addressing these issues early on generally leads to good outcomes.