Thumb/Finger Sucking and Pacifier Use
Thumb or finger sucking and long-term use of a pacifier can be detrimental to a child’s dental and facial development. The tongue should be resting in the palate day and night; It serves as a natural expander for the palate and encourages the palate to grow wider. Anatomically, the palate serves as the floor of the nasal cavity. The wider the palate grows, the wider the nasal passages and airway will be. Having a broad palate also allows teeth to come in straighter, reducing your child’s chances of needing braces or even jaw surgery. If a thumb, finger, or pacifier stays in the mouth for an extended period of time, it creates a barrier between tongue and palate, preventing the palate from growing optimally. It also separates the lips apart which can leave an open mouth posture (when the thumb, finger, or pacifier is out of the mouth) causing your child to mouth breathe. The act of sucking also prevents your child from losing a tongue thrust swallowing pattern (which we all lose at about 6 months of age, when we transition to solid foods). All of these conditions can leave a negative impact on airway, dental health, facial growth, and speech.
How orofacial myofunctional therapy help
Habit elimination plays a crucial part in myofunctional therapy. Before starting exercises, it’s important that we completely eliminate these bad habits for optimal and life-long results.