Thumb Cribs – Huntington
End Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a normal habit for many young kids. While most children discontinue this when they are young, prolonged or intense thumb sucking can cause issues for children as they get older. Excessive thumb sucking can lead to improper development of the teeth and jaws, affecting your child’s appearance, chewing ability, and breathing. That’s why we often recommend thumb cribs. Here’s how they work!
What Are Thumb Cribs?
A thumb crib, also called a palatal crib, is a customized oral appliance that created a fence/cage just beneath the roof of the mouth. Your child will still be able to eat and speak like normal, but it will prevent the pressure and sucking sensation that occur at the top of the mouth when your child sucks their thumb. Ultimately, it takes the satisfaction out of thumb sucking to break them free of their habit!
The Process of Getting a Thumb Crib
After examining your child’s mouth and listening to your concerns, we will make a recommendation. If a thumb crib is right for your child, we will design their custom appliance and schedule an appointment for it to be placed. The teeth that are holding the thumb crib may be slightly tender for a few days, but this should be minor and temporary. Some children become upset when they are no longer able to soothe themselves by sucking their thumb, but after the initial transition period, they should be back to themselves. This usually only takes a few days.
The Benefits of a Thumb Crib
The greatest benefit of thumb cribs is that they can protect the future of children’s oral health. By keeping them from sucking their thumb, thumb cribs promote health development of children’s oral structures. This lowers their risk of experiencing gaps between their teeth, sleep apnea, difficulty chewing and various other issues. Thumb cribs also help children move onto other self-soothing techniques that won’t put their oral health at risk – like holding onto a special blanket or stuffed animal.