Why thumb sucking is bad for children’s teeth

If you asked a group of parents about their opinions on thumb sucking and pacifiers, odds are good that you would get a wide variety of opinions. This habit is a perfectly normal behavior in babies and young children because it provides security and comfort. The real problem begins when teeth start to come in because it can disrupt their formation.

When is thumb sucking a problem?

If thumbsucking continues after permanent teeth come in or especially in cases of excessively hard sucking, dental problems can occur.  Your child’s palate may become arched causing what’s known as an “Open Bite”.  It may also cause front teeth to be pushed forward, causing bite and speech problems.  Many older children who still suck their thumbs may have trouble making “S” sounds or sounds requiring the tongue to touch the front teeth.  Some children develop chapped skin or nail problems on the thumb or finger being sucked.  After age 5, or when permanent teeth are starting to erupt, the child should be encouraged to stop.

How can I help my child stop thumb sucking?

Children usually stop sucking their thumb during their toddler years, but some will continue to use the behavior as a comfort mechanism.  We’ve found that the best methods to curb thumbsucking are based on positive reinforcement.  Here are a few ideas you might consider:

  • A first-step may be to simply ignore the behavior, especially if it is part of a power struggle with your child or it is being used to gain attention.  Some experts suggest a “one month moratorium” on discussing the subject before moving on to other methods.
  • Use praise when your child isn’t sucking his or her thumb, never scold them when they do.
  • Try positive reinforcement such as a sticker chart or other reward system.
  • Seek out the possible causes of anxiety and work to alleviate the reasons for thumbsucking.
  • Some children suck their thumbs from boredom.  Try engaging your child in a fun activity.
  • Allow older children to pick a reward for not sucking their thumb.
  • Mention the behavior at your child’s next appointment and allow us to offer some positive motivation.
  • As a last resort, place a bandage or sock on the child’s hand at night to discourage thumbsucking while sleeping.

How to Fix a “Gummy Smile”

What is a Gummy smile? You may not have heard the phrase, but you’ve probably noticed the condition. A “gummy smile” occurs when too much gum tissue (in technical terms, over 4 millimeters, or about one-eighth of an inch) is visible in the smile. A gummy smile by itself is not considered to be unhealthy or abnormal. It has been long considered by dentists to be a normal variation of a persons body. but if you feel it detracts from your appearance, there are several ways dentists can treat a gummy smile.   

A gummy smile can give the teeth a short and unhealthy look. The gingival tissue should be at or just above the neck of the tooth, called the cementoenamel junction. In some cases of a gummy smile, the tissue may cover 50% or more of the teeth. The gummy smile can be caused by a variety of things. These can include:

• Abnormal eruption of the teeth can cause an excessive display of gingival in your upper jaw. As a result, your teeth may appear short due to the excessive gums, although they might actually be the proper length.

• The way your upper jaw bone develops over the years can also cause gummy smiles. For example, if there is an excessive bulging protrusion in your upper jaw within the gums, you will experience an obvious gingival issue.

• The muscle that takes control of the movement of your upper lip can be hyperactive and it can cause your upper lip to rise higher than usual. 

The presence of excess gum tissue makes maintenance of oral hygiene very difficult or at least more difficult than for patients without a gummy smile. This can lead to unhealthy tissue that can bleed easily as well as increased risk for tooth decay. The excessive tissue will allow food and bacteria to get lodged underneath, causing red, swollen gums and bleeding. This early situation is called gingivitis. Gingivitis is the earliest form of periodontal disease. If this goes untreated the gingivitis leads to  periodontal disease with progression toward tooth loss. 

Treatment for a gummy smile

If you think you have a gummy smile, visit your favorite Lafayette Louisiana dentist, Dr. Chauvin for confirmation and treatment options. Dr. Chauvin will examine your mouth, teeth and gums to determine the extent of the excessive gingival display and any possible causes. This examination may involve conventional and/or digital impressions of your teeth and gums. You may also need X-ray imaging so that the tooth roots and jaw bone can be carefully examined.

If you suffer from a severe gummy smile, your dentist may refer you to a specialist, like a periodontist, orthodontist or an oral surgeon. Depending on the nature of your specific clinical condition, treatment for your gummy smile could include:

1) Gingivectomy 

This is simply the removal of excess gum tissue. By removing the excess tissue and reshaping the gums, you end up with a very cosmetic result. During this procedure a very small amount of gum tissue needs to be removed.  The procedure is generally quite painless, but local anesthetic is necessary. The treatment requires no sutures and typically the gingival tissue heals within 1-2 weeks. A gingivectomy is usually the prescribed procedure when only a few teeth are affected by the gummy smile. Sometimes, the bone must also be remodeled to correct the problem.

2) Crown Lengthening 

During this procedure, excess gum and bone tissue is removed and reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This can be done to one or more teeth to expose a natural, even, wide smile. This procedure is a bit more advanced but still relatively easy to perform by a trained dentist or specialist. The gum tissue is removed in the same way as in a gingivectomy, the bone removal requires rotary instrumentation.

There is a very low risk of complications for both procedures. Any discomfort following the procedures can usually be handled by over the counter medications. Patients will see results immediately. But over the next few weeks following the procedure it will look even better. This is because the gingival and bone tissues need time to fully heal. Once fully healed they will see the full effect of a beautiful and healthy smile and can say goodbye to their old gummy smile!

If you would like more information on treatments for “gummy” smiles, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.