Suburban Myofunctional Therapy Clinic
Christine Stevens Mills BS, SLP, COM
IAOM Certified Orofacial Myologist
Speach Language Pathologist
Speach Language Pathologist
International Association
of
Orofacial Myology
IAOM certified orofacial myologists are specifically trained to diagnose and treat orofacial myofunctional disorders. These abnormal tongue patterns can contribute to changes in natural growth and development which may lead to a malocclusion and complicate speech problems. The orofacial myologists are also trained to eliminate thumb-finger (digit) sucking habits which can contribute to multiple problems.
Welcome, I have been in private practice for over thirty-eight years, treating thumb/finger sucking patterns. During my career these questions have constantly been raised by parents when they arrived with their child for a consultation.
"Why wasn't I told earlier that thumb sucking could and would do damage to my child's teeth?"
"Why wasn't I told there was someone like you to help my child to stop sucking his or her thumb?"
"Why isn't there information in the Dentist's, Orthodontist's, or Pediatrician's office?"
"Why wasn't I told earlier that something could be done?"
TWO THUMBS UP helps provide a plan for you… First, the thumb/finger sucker needs to be AWARE of the consequences of thumb sucking. Second, he/she needs to be EDUCATED on how he or she can help themselves eliminate this pattern. Third, he or she needs to be motivated to achieve SUCCESS!
Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association recognize that after age six chronic thumb/finger sucking can cause problems for dental development. It may also cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and tooth alignment.
Damage to the dentition (teeth.) Most common cross bite, excessive overjet, and anterior open bite.
Any of these statements
sound familiar?
"We've tried everything, but nothing works."
"My husband is always yelling at him."
"I painted this bad tasting stuff on but she licks it off."
"We've punished him, made him wear a glove and even spanked him but the thumb goes right back."
"It's ok during the day, but when we look in at night, the thumb is back."
"My child's teeth are being pushed out of line."
Well, what would you do?
What can you do?
Perhaps nothing?
If the child is not consciously ready and willing to give up the habit, the chances for success with any regime are virtually nil. If the child indicates he or she would like to stop" but just can't help it," then the time is right to begin a program for eliminating thumb sucking.
The most successful programs begin with: Desire, Awareness, and Education.
There are many different treatment approaches available to eliminate a thumb problem; psychodynamic therapy, mechanical devices, and behavior modification just to name a few.
The empirical data clearly supports the use of behavior strategies, specifically behavior modification. If the thumb sucker is aware of what problems the thumb sucking is causing, desire to eliminate the thumb sucking can begin, and the education of what complications the thumb is contributing to, provides the combination to successfully working together to eliminate the thumb sucking problem.
With a concise, fun, and positive approach the child not only eliminates the thumb sucking but also increases his/her confidence and self-esteem.
Pictures illustrating the damage that can occur from prolonged thumb sucking:
The model on the right illustrates a normal shaped palate. The horseshoe shape accommodates better spacing for the teeth.
This high narrow arched palate on the left illustrates what can happen when the thumb is consistently putting pressure on the soft tissue, thus molding the palate to the shape of the thumb. This high narrow palate makes it difficult for the tongue to rest in the correct position contributing to further changes in the occlusion, as well as forcing the swallowing pattern to change.
This open-bite (top and bottom teeth not coming together) often is created from prolonged thumb sucking.
The picture illustrates how the thumb can act like a wedge holding the top and bottom teeth apart. Until you remove the thumb from the equation the teeth are not allowed to grow and develop properly creating a little window. This little window allows the tongue to rest in this space which also contributes to the malocclusion. 
This excessive overjet illustrates how the thumb sucking action places a great deal of pressure on the dentition forcing the top teeth to protrude. This position (of the teeth) makes it difficult to maintain natural lip closure
Cross-bite: Strong thumb sucking action can contribute to another type of malocclusion called cross bite. In simple terms the posterior teeth do not fit properly on one or both sides. The top teeth bite inside of the lower ones instead of outside as they should. This often causes the jaw to shift to one side when the person bites together.