Thumb Sucking Habit Research Articles

Bonded lingual spur to intercept thumb sucking habit: A clinical pearl

Thumb sucking is usually treated with fixed and removable palatal cribs and lingual spurs. Bonded lingual spurs were envisioned and designed based on the principles of conventional Orthodontic spurs. Bonded lingual spur has some apparent advantages over banded lingual spur such as no need of molar banding, small size, low cost, superior esthetics, less laboratory preparation, easy insertion and reduced clinical time. This case pearl describes an innovative method of fabrication of bonded lingual spur.

DESCRIPTION OF CHILDREN'S THUMB SUCKING HABIT IN KINDERGARTEN CIMAHI TENGAH INDONESIA

Thumb sucking is one of the most common oral habits in children. Thumb sucking could cause interference with thecclusion and jaw malformations which could lead to permanent teeth eruption if the problem persists. Thumb sucking habit causes contractions on the buccal and lips. Thumb sucking habit is a habit that is done more frequently compared to other oral habits, especially in the first year after birth. Based on that, research was done to find a thumb-sucking habits scheme for children aged 4-5 years in kindergarten in Central Cimahi District. This research is a descriptive study with a cluster random sampling method. The data were analyzed descriptively in a total sample of 236 parents of children aged 4-5 years in kindergarten in Central Cimahi District. The results showed 14 children (5.93%) had a thumb-sucking habit, eight children (57.14%) 4-year-old, six children (42.86%) were aged five years, seven boys (50%) and seven girls (50%), 2 mm overjet was found in ten children (71.43%), duration of sucking <1 hour/day by seven children (50%), and the sucking condition while playing as many as six children (42.86%). The conclusion of the study is the incidence of the thumb-sucking habit in Cimahi District kindergarten is low; the majority of 4-year-old end the same, duration thumb-sucking habit <1 hour/day, with a distance of 2 mm and overjet is done during when they are playing around.

Evaluation of RURS elbow guard in the management of thumb-sucking habit in children with and without intellectual disability.

Digit sucking is a common oral habit among many children, which involves placing the thumb/finger into the mouth, which can cause malocclusion in mixed and permanent dentition. To evaluate the efficacy of the RURS elbow guard in the management of thumb-sucking habits in children with intellectual disabilities and those without in terms of the mean duration of appliance therapy. The secondary objective was to compare the RURS elbow guard with an intraoral crib in healthy children (without intellectual disabilities) to manage the habit of thumb-sucking. Children with intellectual disabilities and those without between the age of 4 and 16 years were included in the study and categorised into three groups, namely group I (50 normal children; intraoral crib appliance), group II (50 normal children; RURS elbow guard) and group III (50 children with intellectual disabilities; RURS elbow guard). The mean duration of appliance therapy for groups I, II and III were 200.20 ± 20.43days, 204.34 ± 20.56days, and 218.43 ± 15.66days, respectively (p < 0.001). The differences in the mean duration between group I and group II were statistically non-significant, with statistically significant differences between group I and group III (p < 0.001) and between group II and group III (p < 0.05). The RURS elbow guard was found to be an efficient appliance in treating thumb-sucking among children who had mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. RURS elbow guard was equally efficient as an intraoral crib appliance in managing thumb-sucking habits in children without intellectual disabilities.

Fatores associados ao escore de ansiedade de mães surdas e ouvintes

ABSTRACT Purpose To associate maternal anxiety with sociodemographic factors, breastfeeding practices, oral habits, and the child’s entry into daycare among deaf and hearing (non-deaf) mothers. Methods This retrospective comparative cross-sectional study included 116 mothers (29 deaf and 87 hearing) of children aged between two and five years. Deaf mothers belonged to a reference center in the city, while hearing mothers were contacted in public daycares where their children were enrolled. Mothers underwent interviews covering socio-economic factors and child development-related aspects. Additionally, they completed the Brazilian Beck Anxiety Inventory, adapted for both deaf and hearing individuals, serving as instruments to assess anxiety. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, Kruskal Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test, and Poisson Regression were employed for statistical analyses (p&lt;0.05). Results Deaf mothers exhibited anxiety scores one and a half times higher than hearing mothers. Moreover, mothers of children with thumb-sucking habits showed higher anxiety scores, while mothers whose children started attending daycare as infants demonstrated lower anxiety scores compared to mothers of children without such habits and who did not attend daycare. Conclusion Deaf mothers displayed higher anxiety levels when compared to hearing mothers. Children’s behaviors, such as thumb-sucking habits, and early enrollment in daycare during the first year of life influenced maternal anxiety.

Factors associated with the anxiety score of deaf and hearing mothers.

To associate maternal anxiety with sociodemographic factors, breastfeeding practices, oral habits, and the child's entry into daycare among deaf and hearing (non-deaf) mothers. This retrospective comparative cross-sectional study included 116 mothers (29 deaf and 87 hearing) of children aged between two and five years. Deaf mothers belonged to a reference center in the city, while hearing mothers were contacted in public daycares where their children were enrolled. Mothers underwent interviews covering socio-economic factors and child development-related aspects. Additionally, they completed the Brazilian Beck Anxiety Inventory, adapted for both deaf and hearing individuals, serving as instruments to assess anxiety. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, Kruskal Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test, and Poisson Regression were employed for statistical analyses (p<0.05). Deaf mothers exhibited anxiety scores one and a half times higher than hearing mothers. Moreover, mothers of children with thumb-sucking habits showed higher anxiety scores, while mothers whose children started attending daycare as infants demonstrated lower anxiety scores compared to mothers of children without such habits and who did not attend daycare. Deaf mothers displayed higher anxiety levels when compared to hearing mothers. Children's behaviors, such as thumb-sucking habits, and early enrollment in daycare during the first year of life influenced maternal anxiety.

Consequences of Thumb Sucking Habit among School Going Children: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Thumb-sucking, a non-nutritive sucking behavior, is a natural reflex seen in infants but can persist into childhood if not addressed leading to various dental and orofacial issues, including malocclusion, dental arch deformities, speech difficulties, and facial asymmetry. The aim of the study was to explore the consequences of thumb-sucking habits among the school going children. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved among purposively selected 124 school going children, aged between 5-8 years with their parents attended in the outpatient department of University Dental College at Moghbazar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The data were obtained through a pretested structured questionnaire and checklist through face-to-face interview from parents regarding background characteristics, consequences of thumbs sucking and oral examination of children respectively. Then, data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software version 27 for descriptive analysis (frequency, percentage) and inferential statistics (chi-square test or fisher’s exact test) at 5% level of significance (P&lt;0.05). Results: The study revealed that 77.4% of children aged 5-6 years and about 41.9% of parents reported that their child had thumb sucking habit. The thumb sucking habit was found to be statistically significant with start of age thumb sucking( p= &lt;0.001), duration of thumb sucking ( p= &lt;0.001), pronunciation of word clearly( p= &lt;0.001), proclination of maxillary anterior teeth (P=0.002), asymmetry of face (P=0.002) and seek for dental advice or treatment(p=0.002). Majority of children (21.8%) start thumb sucking at the age 6-7 years. Only 8.1% of the children didn’t pronounce words clearly whereas only 5.6% had proclined maxillary anterior teeth, facial asymmetry and sought dental advice or treatment. Conclusion: This study found a significant association of thumb-sucking habit among children with notable consequences. It highlights the importance of early intervention and parental education and awareness regarding this habit's potential consequences on children's oral health and overall development. Update Dent. Coll. j: 2023; 13(2): 19-22

The Magnetic Habit Reminder For The Correction Of Thumb Sucking Habit. A Prospective Clinical Trial

The Magnetic Habit Reminder For The Correction Of Thumb Sucking Habit. A Prospective Clinical Trial

Long-term incompatibility of nutritional status and early childhood caries-A call to revamp perinatal and early childhood dietary care and follow-up.

Dietary pattern and diet quality can influence the incidence of dental caries and can be indicated by decay missing filled (Dmf) scores in the primary dentition. This study aims to find the relationship of nutritional status and oral hygiene practices on Dmf scores of preschool children. Semi-structured and self-administered questionnaires, distributed among 60 preschoolers' parents, were used to assess the demographic and diet related data. Anthropometric measurements of the preschoolers were taken following universally accepted protocols. The relationship between dietary supplement consumption and the presence of dental caries was evaluated by chi-square test employing SPSS 22. The anthropometric measurements among 4-year-old children were on par with the standard values and that of 5-year-olds were below the reference range. All the measurements except head to chest circumference were higher than normal range among 3-year-old subjects. Regular and periodic dental check-ups significantly influenced dental caries prevention (p = 0.030). Statistically, there was no significant association between Dmf scores and thumb-sucking habits (p = 0.568), brushing teeth and usage of tooth floss (p = 0.96), consumption of nutrient supplements (p = 0.744), and BMI (p = 0.564) of the subjects. Furthermore, the correlation between z scores and Dmf scores was found insignificant. Long-term as well as short-term malnutrition initiated 2 years after the start of the pre-schooling. With severity of undernutrition there was a trend to have high Dmf scores.

Prevalence of Thumb Sucking Habits amongst Children at the Knust Basic School

Prevalence of Thumb Sucking Habits amongst Children at the Knust Basic School

Knowledge and Attitudes of Parents Regarding Digit Sucking Habit in Children in Pune: A Questionnaire-based Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Digit sucking is a most common oral fixation observed in children, which involves placement of thumb or fingers into the mouth. Knowledge of the risk factors for the presence of this habit helps to provide a better understanding of the phenomena and is of great significance to the establishment of preventive measures, which can avoid the damage caused by the persistence of these habits. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude of parents of children aged between 3-6 years regarding digit sucking habit. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, belonging to urban and semiurban area of Pune, Maharashtra, India from December 2020 to May 2021. A total of 310 parents of children, aged between 3-6 years were included. A closeended questionnaire was administered to parents to assess their knowledge and attitude regarding digit sucking habit in children. Completely filled questionnaires were considered for result synthesis. The data obtained was tabulated and descriptive data were statistically analysed using software International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Results: Although 229 (73.9%) of parents agreed that for achieving good oral health prevention of digit sucking habit is essential, but 197 (63.5%) parents were unaware of the predisposing factors for digit sucking habit. A total of 195 (62.9%) parents did not agree that inadequate parental attention may lead to thumb sucking habit. A total of 197 (63.5%) parents agreed that prolonged digit sucking can cause misaligned teeth but majority of the parents 205 (66.1%) and 166 (53.5%) disagreed on its effects on facial growth and speech respectively. A total of 219 (70.6%) parents did not receive any scientific information or counselling from healthcare worker regarding sucking habit. A total of 299 (96.5%) of parents agreed that guidance from healthcare workers is needed regarding oral habits in children. Conclusion: Present study concluded that the attitude towards learning about digit sucking habit was good the knowledge of the study participants was poor.

Influence of Nonnutritive Sucking Habits on the Oral Carriage of Escherichia coli.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of nonnutritive sucking habits on the presence of oral Escherichia coli. One hundred and twenty children aged 3-5 years old were enrolled in the present case-control study, as follows: 60 children with continuous pacifier and thumb sucking habits (study group) and 60 children without any sucking habits (control group). The children in the two groups were matched in terms of age and gender. Information was gathered from the parents concerning their children using a special sheet. Sterile swabs were taken from both groups and cultured on agar plates. Then, they were subjected to further biochemical tests to identify E. coli species. The mean of the E. coli count was determined for each child. Descriptive, independent t-test and chi-square test statistics were used. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. The presence of nonnutritive sucking habits was related to a higher carriage of E. coli among children. Nonnutritive sucking habits may act as a predisposing factor that enhances the colonization of oral E. coli.

Knowledge and practice towards early orthodontic problems among general dentists and paediatric dentists.

To assess the knowledge, practice and challenges faced by general dental practitioners (GDPs), paediatric dentists (PDs) and postgraduate paediatric dentistry students (PGPDSs) in diagnosing and managing early orthodontic problems. Cross-sectional study. A total of 159 dentists were enrolled in this study (121 GDPs, 21 PDs and 17 PGPDSs). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire involving two sections. Section A included questions regarding demographic features and orthodontic practice. Section B included photos of 12 orthodontic cases that needed early intervention. Knowledge and practice were assessed using six questions for each case that was then rated using predefined scores of poor (score <50%), average (score 50%-75%) and good (score >75%). The knowledge scores regarding the identification of early orthodontic problems were average among the three groups with GDPs having the lowest score (P = 0.0001). The knowledge scores regarding the selection of optimal treatment time were average among the PDs and PGPDSs, and poor among GDPs. GDPs tended to refer most of their cases to an orthodontist except for cases of thumb sucking. PDs and PGPDSs were more confident in treating anterior crossbite, thumb sucking habits and delayed eruption of incisors. All participants scored 'poor' regarding the selection of an appropriate orthodontic appliance. There was no significant correlation between knowledge and practice (P > 0.05). PDs and PGPDSs showed higher knowledge and practice scores when compared to GDPs. For all three groups included in this study, lack of clinical skills was the main reason for not treating early orthodontic problems.

Risk Factors for High-Arched Palate and Posterior Crossbite at the Age of 5 in Children Born Very Preterm: EPIPAGE-2 Cohort Study.

Introduction:Children born very preterm have an immature sucking reflex at birth and are exposed to neonatal care that can impede proper palate growth.ObjectivesWe aimed to describe the frequency of high-arched palate and posterior crossbite at the age of 5 in children born very preterm and to identify their respective risk factors.MethodsOur study was based on the data from EPIPAGE-2, a French national prospective cohort study, and included 2,594 children born between 24- and 31-week gestation. Outcomes were high-arched palate and posterior crossbite. Multivariable models estimated by generalized estimation equations with multiple imputation were used to study the association between the potential risk factors studied and each outcome.ResultsOverall, 8% of children born very preterm had a high-arched palate and 15% posterior crossbite. The odds of high-arched palate were increased for children with low gestational age (24–29 vs. 30–31 weeks of gestation) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17, 2.66], thumb-sucking habits at the age of 2 (aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.03, 2.28), and cerebral palsy (aOR 2.18, 95% CI 1.28, 3.69). The odds of posterior crossbite were increased for children with pacifier-sucking habits at the age of 2 (aOR 1.75, 95% CI 1.30, 2.36).ConclusionsAmong very preterm children, low gestational age and cerebral palsy are the specific risk factors for a high-arched palate. High-arched palate and posterior crossbite share non-nutritive sucking habits as a common risk factor. The oro-facial growth of these children should be monitored.

Thumb-Sucking Habits and Oral Health: An Analysis of YouTube Content.

This study aims to investigate the content and usefulness of YouTube videos on** thumb-sucking habits. Methods: YouTube was systematically searched for all relevant videos on thumb sucking using primary keywords, such as thumb, finger, and digit sucking. Video information was assessed, such as the type of video, number of likes or dislikes, number of views, and duration of upload. The usefulness of videos was analyzed, and information about treatment modalities was evaluated. Results: A total of 331 YouTube videos (314 educational offerings and 17 testimonials) were included in the analysis. Individual users uploaded (36.6%), followed by healthcare professionals (30.5%). Only 4.83% of the videos were classified as having “very useful” general information content, whereas 51.1% were rated as “slightly useful.” There was no significant correlation between the usefulness score and the interaction rate, video length, or viewing rate. The videos advised a psychosocial approach and mechanical or reminder therapy in 32.33% and 25.07% of videos, respectively. Preventive methods accounted for 7.26%, and chemical treatments were discussed in 5.44% of the videos. Conclusion: Information on YouTube about thumb-sucking habits was unsatisfactory and should be improved by oral healthcare professionals and organizations.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of pediatricians towards digit sucking habit among children in Pune, India

Introduction: Prolonged digit sucking habits can have deleterious effects on facial growth, oral function, occlusion and aesthetics, leading to dental and skeletal deformities. Early identification and intervention can result in a vast difference in treatment outcomes and avoid a complex, expensive, and time-consuming treatment in the future. Pediatricians are in a key position to identify these habits in children. The present study evaluated the knowledge, attitude and practice among pediatricians about digit sucking habits in children in Pune city, India. Materials and Methods: A pre-validated questionnaire was mailed to the study subjects. The filled 303 questionnaires were then statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: This study showed that although the number of pediatricians performing routine oral examinations was high (92.7%), the referral to dentists was low. 67.5% of pediatricians referred their patients to a dentist only when they had an explicit dental complaint. Only 20.5% of pediatricians referred children with digit sucking habits to a dentist. 95.7% of participants agreed that treatment of digit sucking is important, but only 7% of pediatricians recognized the use of habit-breaking appliances as a treatment modality. Conclusion: We found that although the pediatricians had sufficient knowledge regarding thumb-sucking habits in children, the involvement and collaboration with dentists was very low. The majority of pediatricians felt there was a need for more awareness programs on oral habits. We conclude that more collaborations should be encouraged between medical and dental professionals.

Modified RURS Elbow Guard: An Alternative Approach for Thumb Sucking

Digit sucking or thumb sucking is one of the most common habits usually seen in children. These habits habitually lapse in mid-childhood. The continued persistence of these habits will bring about harmful unbalanced pressures to alveolar ridges, changes in the position of teeth, and occlusion which may result in abnormality if they are continued for a long time. This case report presents a case of a 5-year-old male child patient with a habit of thumb sucking that was successfully ceased by a modified RURS elbow guard appliance.How to cite this article: Anand S, Jyoti D, Shukla JN, et al. Modified RURS Elbow Guard: An Alternative Approach for Thumb Sucking. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(4):590–592.

Prevalence of Malocclusion and Associated Variables in Preschool Children of Tbilisi, Georgia

Background:Primary dentition is a determinant for future permanent occlusion.Objective:This aimed to evaluate the prevalence of malocclusion and associated variables in the primary dentition among preschoolers in the city of Tbilisi, Georgia.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted among kindergarten children aged 3–5 years. Orthodontic characteristics were assessed by one calibrated clinician (E.G). Questionnaires were given to parents to record associated variables like general health problems, functional changes, and the presence of non-nutritive sucking habits.Results:A total of 396 participants aged 3-5 were included in the study. The prevalence of malocclusion was 49.8%, without significant differences among genders. The prevalence of Class II malocclusion was 21.2%(±4.091), followed by a deep overbite,i.e, 10.7% (±3.14), crossbite,i.e, 7% (±2.561), anterior open bite,i.e, 6.9%, and Class III malocclusion,i.e, 1.6% (±1.513). A total of 41.5% of children with breathing problems had Class II and 13% had crossbite. Speech disorder in 46.8% of cases was associated with anterior open bite. Pacifier users had Class II in 22.5%, deep overbite in 12.2%, and open bite in 9.2% of cases. There was a high prevalence of anterior open bite (25.2%) in children with a thumb-sucking habit (RR=4.90). These data sets are statistically reliable (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion:Almost half of the evaluated preschoolers had malocclusion. The most frequent disorder was Class II. Malocclusion is associated with non-nutritive sucking habits and mouth breathing.

Etiology of thumb sucking habit and its effect on developing malocclusion

The persistence of thumb sucking might also be harmful as it might be associated with the development of complications seen on the thumb as paronychia and nail deformities and in the mouth level as malocclusions. In this review, we have looked up studies in the literature to identify the effect of thumb sucking on the development of malocclusion. Thumb sucking in children usually occurs as a primitive reflex that appears in early childhood with no apparent causative factors. Children usually develop this thumb sucking habit because in this way they feel more comfortable and secure. The main cause behind the development of thumb sucking is the prolonged presence of the thumb in the mouth which creates pressure against the developing jaw and teeth. This may interfere with the process of tooth eruption leading to delayed or abrupt eruption events and malformations. The severity of malocclusion deformities is significantly associated with the chronicity and period of thumb-sucking habits. Other forms of occlusions secondary to thumb sucking include: anterior open bite, exaggerated overjet, posterior crossbite, retrognathic mandible, a diastema, temporomandibular joint disorders and the retroclined low anterior. Thumb sucking, however, is a self-limiting phenomenon and usually disappears as children grow older. However, when persistence is noticed, immediate management should be approached to avoid any potential complications.

Characterisation of anterior open bite in primary school-aged children: A preliminary study with artificial neural network analysis.

Non-nutritive sucking habits, bottle feeding, and facial hyperdivergency have been suggested as the influencing factors of anterior open bite (AOB). There was inconsistent reporting of prevalence and a gap of knowledge in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of AOB in 7- to 12-year-olds, with a special interest to characterise the determinants of this malocclusion. A sample of 203 children aged 7 to 12years were selected from a primary school in regional Australia. The legal guardian of each child completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data were assessed using methods of univariate statistics and neural analysis. The prevalence of AOB and thumb sucking was 24.1% and 23.2%, respectively. AOB was associated with the habit (correlation=0.754) and duration (correlation=0.574) of thumb sucking. Age, gender, birth order, feeding modality, sleep patterns, history of orthodontic treatment and tonsil, adenoid or grommet surgery, and parents' level of education were not related to AOB (correlation absolute value≤0.474). Thumb sucking, specifically for prolonged duration, increases the risk of development of AOB. Cessation of thumb sucking habits should be encouraged at an early age to avoid the development of AOB.

Perception of Saudi Mothers about Maxillary Midline Diastemas among Children with Mixed Dentition- A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Maxillary anterior spacing or midline diastema is the most frequently seen aesthetic concern among children, which can be quite challenging for the clinician to manage. There can be a significant disparity in the aesthetic perception from person to person and is greatly influenced by their personal experience and social environment. Aim: This study investigated the aesthetic perceptions of Saudi mothers to various Maxillary Midline Diastemas (MMDs) in mixed dentition. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using structured questionnaire was employed for Saudi mothers chosen by stratified-cluster random sampling technique over a period of eight months (November 2016 to June 2017). The questionnaire assessed their perception about various MMDs using photographs and the source of information about MMDs. Data were statistical analysed (SPSS version 20) using the Chi-square test, with the level of significance set at p-value &lt;0.05. Results: The sample consisted of 300 Saudi mothers with a response rate of 86.2%. The maximum mean score was 4.80±0.20 for the MMD photograph showing central incisor tooth discrepancy which the mothers perceived to be the most unpleasant (81%). The very unpleasant perception from the mothers’ perception for group D and B showing ugly duckling stage was (55%) and thumb sucking habit (33%), respectively. The MMD photograph showing high frenum attachment was perceived by 51% of the mothers to be unpleasant and 7% as very unpleasant. Moreover, on comparison it showed the least mean score of 3.65±0.41. Conclusion: The perception of Saudi mothers to various types of MMDs was found to be aesthetically unpleasant. Early detection of the MMDs by the Saudi mothers and intervention by the dental specialist can reduce the progression of the prevailing condition to a severe malocclusion.