Thumb Crib – Richardson, TX
Put a Stop to Thumb Sucking
Some thumb sucking during early childhood is normal. Most kids stop this habit on their own when they are still quite young. But what if your child is engaging in prolonged or intense thumb sucking? Their future oral health could be in danger! Excessive thumb sucking can cause the teeth and jaws to develop improperly, which can affect your child’s appearance, chewing ability, breathing, and more. Our Richardson team wants to help you address this problem. We might recommend that your child uses a thumb crib, a special oral appliance that is designed to put a stop to thumb sucking.
What Is a Thumb Crib?
A thumb crib is also known as a palatal crib. It is a custom oral appliance that creates a fence or cage just beneath the roof of the mouth. It will not interfere with your child’s ability to eat or speak, but it will prevent the pressure and sucking sensation that occur at the top of the mouth during thumb sucking. In other words, its job is to remove the stimulus provided by thumb sucking. Without that stimulus, your child will find less satisfaction in sucking their thumb and be able to break free from the habit.
Thumb cribs are usually fixed in the mouth for 9 – 12 months.
The Process of Getting a Thumb Crib
If your child is more than three years old and you believe they are engaging in excessive thumb sucking, visit our team for a consultation. We will examine their mouth, possibly take some X-rays, and recommend your next steps. If it looks like a thumb crib is right for your child, we will design the appliance and book you for a future appointment so we can place it in your child’s mouth.
The teeth that hold the thumb crib might be a bit tender for a few days, and your child may be upset that they can no longer soothe themselves via thumb sucking. They might need a bit of extra love and tenderness during this transition period, but hopefully, they will be back to acting like themselves within a matter of days.
Benefits of a Thumb Crib
The biggest benefit of a thumb crib is its potential to protect your child’s oral health. By preventing thumb sucking, a thumb crib can promote healthy development of your child’s oral structures. Therefore, they are less likely to experience issues like gaps between their teeth, sleep apnea, difficulty chewing, and other problems. Preventing these problems can help you save money and spare your child from pain and discomfort.
Another noteworthy benefit of a thumb crib is that it may move your child to learn other self-soothing techniques — ones that will not put their oral health in jeopardy.
Thumb Crib FAQs
How can I tell if my child needs a thumb crib?
It can be hard to tell whether your child needs a thumb crib. If your child continues to suck their thumb past the age of three, that can be one indication. The surefire way to know is to take your kiddo to regular visits to the pediatric dentist. By monitoring how their oral structure and dental alignment develop, we can determine if it’s time for intervention. A thumb crib will help prevent more serious orthodontic issues and will encourage your child to seek out healthier self-soothing habits.
Can I help my child stop sucking their thumb without a thumb crib?
It’s definitely possible! Positive reinforcement, gentle reminders, and creative strategies like reward charts can encourage some children to stop sucking their thumb. Our team would also be happy to support you with professional tips and regular checkups.
Rest assured, if your child still needs a thumb crib to protect their oral development, our team knows how to help with the emotional aspect of their treatment as well. We’ll explain the process in a child-friendly way and give them positive feedback for each achievement.
What is the cost of a thumb crib in Richardson?
It depends. Every child’s smile is different, and their oral structure will impact how their thumb crib needs to be customized. We can provide a more accurate cost estimate after examining your child’s mouth.
If you’re worried about affording treatment, know that we’re in-network with many dental insurance plans and can provide in-house financing. We’ll file any insurance claims on your behalf and help make sure you save as much money as possible or help you determine an effective monthly payment schedule that won’t break the budget.
We want to be as transparent as possible about treatment costs, so please don’t hesitate to give us a call if you have any financial questions or concerns!
How does prolonged thumb sucking interfere with oral development?
Firstly, when a child sucks their thumb, they usually press their finger against the roof of their mouth. This might not have a lasting effect when the mouth is fully developed, but since your child’s jaw, palate, and other oral structures are still taking shape, this repeated pressure can impact how their mouth grows.
Secondly, your child’s mouth has to form a very specific shape in order to facilitate thumb sucking. You might notice, for example, that their lips pucker forward. As this habit becomes chronic, the jaw and teeth will likely respond by shifting forward as well.
Basically, thumb sucking can interfere with oral development because the body’s natural response will be to adapt to the habit, which doesn’t typically result in even bites or straight teeth.