Can my teeth be corrected if I currently suck my thumb? (Photos)

Question

I have been sucking my thumb since I was 3 months old. My mother tried everything to get me to stop to no avail. For the past few years the gap on the right side has continued to grow.

Sepi Torkan, DDS · Answer

Hello,

Thank you for your question. The rule of thumb is teeth will grow until they find each other. If there is something in between the teeth, it will hinder the bite closure. As long as there is an object in between the teeth, your openbite will not close. So the first step will be to stop the habit. For some people, it is just a matter of remembering to not put anything in between your teeth and there are some orthodontic appliances that do that. So the first step would be the willingness for the change and I am pretty sure you are determined to do that. The next step is the health of your gum. I would recommend seeing the general dentist and making sure the gums are healthy. Then, you can schedule an appointment to see an orthodontist and they will do xrays and photos to decide what needs to be done. 
Orthodontic treatment will lead to a big change in your smile and your eating habit and I am positive that you will love it.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Dr. Sepi Torkan

Can my teeth be corrected if I currently suck my thumb? (Photos)

Answers (1)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Can my teeth be corrected if I currently suck my thumb? (Photos)

Answers (1)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Invisalign

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.