Zakka Baraya, an Orthodontist at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, says sucking the thumb can cause teeth eruption and disorganisation in the arrangement of the teeth.

Mr Baraya, senior registrar, Orthodontics Unit, Child Oral Health, UCH Ibadan, said this in an interview on Tuesday in Ibadan.

He said the pressure of sucking might interfere with the eruption path of the teeth and make the cheek muscles flex, which might alter the jaw shape and change facial appearance.

Mr Baraya said, “Dental problems caused by thumb sucking can result in speech problems, with the child or adult lisping or the roof of the mouth becoming sensitive to touch and sensation.

“Also, the finger being sucked may introduce dirt and bacteria into the mouth, causing infection to the gum or even the tooth. The finger being sucked can also become deformed. The skin over the finger may dry out causing it to crack, bleed, or become infected too.

“Finger sucking is common in young children, and as they grow older, they stop it. In most cases, the habit ceases spontaneously between two and four years of age. Some adults can also pick up the habit after experiencing trauma during childhood; the behaviour is just to calm themselves down.”

The orthodontist said managing children or adults that indulge in finger sucking should start by appropriately counselling the adult, children, and their parents.

He added that they should be educated on the habit and the complications it might lead to, hence the need to stop it.

“If a child or adult sucks his or her finger in response to stress, one should identify the real issue and provide comfort in other ways. Another way is a reminder therapy in which a harmless, unpalatable substance is applied to the finger.

“Some appliances are also available for breaking finger-sucking habits that can be recommended and fabricated by an orthodontist. Examples are palatal cribs, palatal bars, cage appliances, and tongue rakes, which can be fixed in the mouth or be a removable appliance that makes finger-sucking uncomfortable for the child or individual,” Mr Baraya explained.

On her part, a consultant paediatric neurologist at UCH, Joy Alejo, said, “Thumb sucking is a natural, self-soothing behaviour which a person does to comfort himself/herself.”

Ms Alejo said when the habit continues beyond four years, it is no longer usual.

“Thumb sucking can cause blisters, and the teeth of the person can grow out of shape,” she added.

(NAN)