Thumb-sucking is a common habit for children, but it can also be a habit for some adults. It’s not as common as with children, but the underlying reasons are often similar. Small children usually suck their thumbs as a comfort measure to relieve anxiety. Over time, they break the habit as they get older, but they may pick it up again as adults. While it seems a far less destructive habit than some others, thumb-sucking can actually cause substantial issues with your dental health and, eventually, your overall health. Luckily, there are several tips, tricks, and methods to help break this habit, including those Zombek Orthodontics can offer in a comfortable, nonjudgmental environment.
Thumb-sucking can cause your teeth to become misaligned because as you suck your thumb, your thumb pushes your top teeth out while your tongue pushes down and into the back of the front teeth. This can lead to overbites or crossbites. It can also eventually lead to other issues, such as snoring and sleep apnea and TMJ problems, which can have a real impact on your overall health. Many adult patients are hesitant to ask for help in breaking this habit, but at Zombek Orthodontics, we understand and will treat you with dignity and respect.
Adult thumb-sucking isn’t talked about as much as child thumb-sucking, but it may be more common than people think. Some researchers estimate that 1 in 10 adults suck their thumb at some point. Some just never break the habit from childhood, while others take up the habit to relieve anxiety.
It’s believed that adults use thumb-sucking to reduce stress or anxiety. It can also provide comfort or relaxation. The psychological and behavioral effects aren’t completely understood. What is known, though, is the damage thumb-sucking can do to your dental health, and eventually, your overall health.
Thumb-sucking begins causing oral issues before teeth even appear in children and can continue to cause several dental issues as the teeth grow in for babies and children. When adult teeth grow in, more issues can arise. Often, an orthodontist must address these issues before they cause more problems, such as snoring and sleep apnea, which can lead to heart problems.
The thumb presses against the palate, or the roof of the mouth, and makes it more concave. This can misalign the teeth and lead to snoring or sleep apnea problems. It can also cause the teeth to move, creating an overbite, a deep bite, or an open bite. This can cause issues with chewing and speaking. Thumb-sucking also leads to a higher likelihood of getting infections and other sicknesses due to bacteria and viruses being introduced to the mouth by the thumb.
It isn’t easy to break a thumb-sucking habit, especially if it’s a lifelong habit. Most habits are not easy to break, simply because your body gets used to certain behaviors and coping mechanisms. BUT, IT IS POSSIBLE. It is always possible to stop habits you do not want to continue and start new habits. The big thing to remember is to start with a small goal, like not sucking your thumb for one day, and then build up to bigger and more permanent goals. And when it comes to stopping your thumb-sucking habit, we can help! Zombek Orthodontics has suggestions for breaking the habit, and if those don’t help, we have tools that can do the job.
Because it’s believed thumb-sucking is used to relieve anxiety, addressing that stress or anxiety is a good start to getting rid of the habit. Try reducing stress with physical exercise, meditation, or deep-breathing exercises. There are several resources that can help with this, including apps and online videos.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is another option that may help get to the root of your habit and its causes. This therapy examines the causes of the stress or anxiety and provides ways to cope with it.
Other home remedies are available, such as using a nontoxic fingernail coating made to stop thumb-sucking by creating a bitter taste in the mouth. If you mainly find yourself sucking your thumb at night and when you sleep, you can also try wearing gloves, a bandage on your thumb, mouth taping, or even wearing a sock on your hand. These are all methods that can be helpful for fingernail biting habits as well.
If home remedies don’t work, Zombek Orthodontics can help. We have a special appliance that acts as a tongue crib to train the tongue to stay off the back of the upper front teeth. This tongue crib makes it difficult, if not impossible, to suck your thumb. The tongue crib serves the other purpose of training the tongue to sit back from the teeth, so it’s not uncommon to see an orthodontic patient with it. Rest assured, you won’t be the first person we’ve seen with this habit. You won’t find judgment here. Instead, you’ll find a team of professionals who will provide you with friendly, compassionate, judgment-free care.
We can examine your teeth, determine any orthodontic issues from thumb-sucking, and create an adult orthodontic treatment plan to straighten your teeth. We can also figure out whether braces or clear aligners will best benefit you. If you live in the Weston, FL, or Hollywood, FL, areas, you can schedule an appointment with us.
Is adult thumb sucking more common than people think?
Yes. Some researchers estimate that as many as 1 in 10 adults suck their thumb at some point. Many people never fully break the habit from childhood, while others return to it during periods of stress or anxiety. It's more common than it gets credit for, and it's nothing to be embarrassed about.
What does adult thumb sucking do to your teeth?
Over time, thumb sucking pushes the upper front teeth outward while the tongue pushes down on the back of those same teeth. This can create an overbite, open bite, or crossbite. It can also make the palate more concave, which contributes to snoring and sleep apnea in some patients.
Can the damage from adult thumb sucking be fixed?
In most cases, yes. Orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign can correct the bite issues caused by long-term thumb sucking. The first step is an exam so we can assess the extent of any misalignment and put together a plan that works for you.
What is the most effective way to stop thumb sucking as an adult?
It depends on the person. For some, addressing the underlying stress or anxiety through therapy or mindfulness practices helps significantly. Others benefit from physical deterrents like bitter-tasting nail coatings or wearing a glove at night. If those approaches aren't enough, an orthodontic appliance called a tongue crib can make thumb sucking physically difficult, which helps break the habit over time. Zombek Orthodontics offers this option in a completely judgment-free environment.
Adult thumb sucking may be a hard habit to break, but it is breakable, and the sooner you address it, the easier it is to correct any dental damage it's caused. Whether you need help stopping the habit, fixing a bite issue, or both, Zombek Orthodontics treats adult patients in Weston and Hollywood, FL, with the same care and zero judgment. Request an appointment and let's figure out the best next step for you.
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