Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 12/3/2007

Question
Hi,

I'm 20 years old and I'm trying to stop sucking my thumb.  I recently noticed that I also have some tongue thrusting issues and I was wondering if I stop sucking my thumb, will the tongue thrusting also stop?  Also, my teeth are now in need of braces (for at least 2 years my dentist says).  Do you think that if I stop sucking my thumb, there is a chance that they will shift back to where they need to be?

Answer
Dear Sam,

Usually, a tongue-thrust swallowing pattern develops due to an anterior open bite, and the two conditions are mutually self-reinforcing. In other words, your tongue thrust will likely maintain your anterior open bite, and your anterior open bite will maintain your tongue thrust. As such, it is probably over-optimistic to think that stopping your thumb-sucking habit alone is sufficient to break this vicious cycle.

This type of malocclusion/habit complex is usually managed by a combination orthodontic/habit breaker appliance.

Hope this helps...

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY