Digit-sucking: a review of the literature, clinical observations and treatment recommendations.
Prolonged digit-sucking habits can have a negative impact on dental, speech, physical and emotional development. Children can be helped to eliminate their sucking habits quickly, without coercion, and in a positive way. Admittedly, most of my data is based purely on clinical observation. However, clinical observation is the basis for classical scientific investigation. I welcome this investigation; it is long overdue. Much of the literature available to parents appears to take a rather cavalier attitude with regard to the dental consequences of sucking habits. Parents are frequently left with the impression that no harm is done to the teeth. This perspective is based on the assumption that most children stop the sucking behavior before permanent teeth erupt into the mouth. Therefore, any dental malocclusion in the primary teeth will often be transitional or will spontaneously self-correct. However, as demonstrated by Kelly, et al (1973), millions of children do not discontinue their sucking habits before permanent teeth erupt. In addition, stress levels in today's world are probably significantly greater than when this study was done. Because stress is a powerful stimulus for the sucking activity, it is highly probable that if a similar study were done today, it would produce a substantially greater number of individuals with prolonged sucking habits. The active pursuit of insurance benefits for the Certified Orofacial Myologist providing therapy for the elimination of these habits will be germane to prevention. Research is needed to accomplish this goal including: investigation of the incidence of prolonged digit-sucking habits; the impact of these habits on the entire stomatognathic system, speech development and emotional health; efficacy of treatment (including psychological response) both through the utilization of habit appliances and motivational therapy. The Certified Orofacial Myologist provides many valuable therapeutic programs to enhance dental and speech development. In the words of our president, Marge Snow at the 25th Anniversary of the founding of The International Association of Orofacial Myology, "we are morally and ethically challenged with making this treatment available to everyone". Roberta Pierce (1988) in her paper, "Treatment For The Young Child" wrote, "The overall goal is to create as normal an environment as possible so as to facilitate normal growth and development." The early elimination of digit-sucking habits is one of the most important therapeutic services offered by the Certified Orofacial Myologist because it provides the most benefit toward prevention and the well-being of the whole person. Treatment after the pathology is fully developed is invasive, not cost-effective and does not provide as good a clinical result. Little mouths deserve a big chance to grow healthy and straight.
Van Norman
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D002648:Child; D005386:Fingersucking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012391:Root Resorption / Q000209:etiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology