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IS TONGUE SUCKING IN KIDZ SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT?

January 25, 2024

WHAT IS TONGUE SUCKING?

Tongue sucking like thumb sucking is the habit of actively sucking on the tongue and is believed to be a source of comfort for the child.

 

WHAT IS TONGUE SUCKING?

Tongue sucking like thumb sucking is the habit of actively sucking on the tongue and is believed to be a source of comfort for the child.  It can appear as though you are sucking on a hard candy.

 

RESULTS OF TONGUE SUCKING

  • Open Bite
  • Cross Bite
  • Teeth that stick out (“overbite”)
  • Swollen tongue
  • Lesions on Tongue

WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD AT HOME

You can help your child with tongue sucking when they are old enough to understand and cooperate by...

  • Providing other means of comfort
  • Explaining to them that this habit can cause problems with their teeth later on
  • Remind them not to suck on their tongue and provide positive reinforcement/rewards for them not doing so
  • Provide activities to distract them

In your attempt to help, please do not make it a major area of concern, as this can result in unnecessary stress for your child and the family in general.  If your efforts are unsuccessful, do not worry.  As an Orthodontist we are trained to help and to fix any resultant problems with the bite.

WHEN TO GET HELP and FROM WHOM

As an Orthodontist, I strongly recommend an Orthodontic evaluation by age 7.  The habit of tongue sucking can be addressed at that time with great success.  Any issues with the bite can also be addressed and corrected.  Early Orthodontic intervention goes a long way in helping to stop the habit, as well as any affect on the growth and development of the face

CONCLUSION

Tongue sucking is another oral habit that children engage that provides some form of comfort.  There are ways you can help your child to stop this habit at home.  However if your efforts are unsuccessful a visit to your Orthodontist by age 7 becomes necessary to prevent problems with the bite, the speech and facial development.

 

Thanks for visiting and see you in our next blog....

 

Written by

Dr. Martine A. DeCambre, BSc, BSN, DDS, Orthodontic Certif.

Orthodontist and Dentofacial Orthopedist

Owner Braces For Us 2.0

“Early Orthodontic Treatment is indeed a gift.”

-Dr. DeCambre

 

REFERENCES

Maguire JA. The evaluation and treatment of pediatric oral habits. Dent Clin North Am. 2000;44(3):659–69.

Profitt WR: Contemporary Orthodontics (3rd. Ed.), St. Louis, 2000, Mosby.

McDonald RE, Avery DR (6th Ed.), St. Louis, 1994, Mosby.

 

This blog is for educational purposes only.  Please seek professional help to address concerns.