With the new school year starting in September, many families in Vélez-Málaga and Torre del Mar get back into their routines and set small developmental goals for the youngest members of the household. One of the topics that causes parents the most doubts and headaches is giving up sucking habits such as the dummy or thumb-sucking. Although both are natural, harmless reflexes during the first months of life, keeping them up beyond the recommended age can seriously affect how the bones of the mouth develop.
At Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic, located in Torre del Mar, we specialise in looking after children’s oral health from the earliest stages. Today we explain, from a clinical point of view, how these habits affect the growth of your children’s jaws and how we can help you correct them in time. Protect the future of your little ones’ smiles! 🛡️
The impact on growth: what happens in their mouth? 🤔
During the first few years, the bones of a child’s face and palate are soft and extremely mouldable. The constant presence of a dummy or thumb, pushing upwards and outwards, acts as an involuntary “orthodontic force” that deforms the structures of the mouth:
- Anterior open bite: the upper and lower front teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed, leaving a gap in the middle.
- Palate deformation (high-arched palate): the palate becomes narrower and deeper than normal because of the constant pressure from the thumb or teat.
- Swallowing and speech problems: as the position of the teeth and palate changes, the child tends to place the tongue incorrectly when swallowing and may have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds correctly (such as S or T).
- Mouth breathing: a palate that is too narrow reduces the space in the nasal passages, which encourages the child to breathe through the mouth instead of the nose and increases the risk of respiratory infections.
Dummies and thumb-sucking: up to what age is it normal and when should you act? ⏱️
Up to the age of 2, using a dummy does not usually leave permanent effects because, if it is taken away at that age, mild deformations tend to correct themselves naturally as the child grows. However, if the habit continues beyond the age of 3, or if the child sucks their thumb intensely, the bone deformation becomes established and will need professional treatment.
It is worth noting that thumb-sucking is usually harder to stop than using a dummy, because the thumb is always available and the habit often happens unconsciously while the child is asleep.
Our approach at Acosta Cubero Clinic: interceptive orthodontics ⚙️
At our clinic in Vélez-Málaga we approach children’s dentistry with empathy, aiming to make every visit a friendly, stress-free experience for the child (find out more about why paediatric dentistry matters):
- Early assessment: we check the condition of the palate, the bite and the child’s swallowing pattern.
- Education and motivation: we give parents positive reinforcement strategies so the child gives up the habit willingly and without anxiety.
- Interceptive orthodontics (if the bone has become deformed): if the palate has narrowed or there is a severe open bite, we use simple, custom-made removable appliances. These devices guide the correct growth of the jaw bones while the child is still developing, avoiding surgery or complex treatment in adolescence.
Invest in your children’s oral health in the Axarquía! 😊
Spotting and correcting sucking habits early is the best guarantee that your children will develop a balanced facial structure and strong, functional teeth. That is why we recommend taking your child to the orthodontist at the age of six.
If you are unsure how the dummy is affecting your child’s teeth or you cannot get them to stop sucking their thumb, book an appointment at Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic in Torre del Mar (Vélez-Málaga). Our specialist team will examine your little one’s mouth with great care to make sure it is developing properly. We are here to look after the whole family’s smiles! ✨
