From a very young age, kids use sucking behaviors to calm themselves when in stressful situations. As they age, children stop using pacifiers and move on to sucking on their thumb. If your child has severely altered their teeth, contact Brooklyn Orthodontics about treatment options, such as Invisalign or braces.
The aftermath of thumb sucking is usually a dental malocclusion, which is when you can clearly see tooth misalignment when the mouth is closed. Two of the most common types of malocclusions caused by thumb sucking in children are an open bite and an overbite.
Open Bite or Overbite
An open bite is when the top and bottom teeth become directed outward. An open bite can be corrected with orthodontic correction once your child has stopped sucking their thumb.
Overbites occur when the upper front teeth become directed outward. When the child’s mouth is closed, the top teeth cover the bottom teeth, rather than the top and bottom teeth touching.
Treatment
Open bites and overbites can both be corrected with orthodontic treatment. The two most popular treatments are traditional metal braces or Invisalign, which is a clear plastic aligner that is removable. Consult with your orthodontist to choose the right option for you and to create a treatment plan.
If your child has shifted their teeth due to sucking their thumb, schedule an appointment at Brooklyn Orthodontics, where we can start a treatment plan In Brooklyn, NY.