Thumb sucking affecting in dental anatomy
Oral habits are very common and one of the most deleterious habits which pose a problem to Pediatricians and Pedodontists.(1,2,3) In most of the studies cited in literature, the major concern of the authors is about the etiology of oral habits because these may have an important role in the development of some anomalies and harmful effects on the oro-facial system.(4,5,6,7) Thumb sucking and nail biting habits not only distort the oro-facial harmony and damage the structure of the mouth but also allow easy spread of infectious diseases.(8) A study confirmed that the prevalence of Escherichia coli and Enterobacteria among children with such oral habits was greater than the children without any oral habits.(9) Oral habits could be divided into 2 main groups(10): 1) Acquired oral habits: Include those behaviors which are learned and could be stopped easily and when the child grows up, he or she can give up that behavior and start another one. 2) Compulsive oral habits: Consist of those behaviors which are fixed in child and when emotional pressures are intolerable for the child, he or she can feel safety with this habit, and preventing the child from these habits make him or her anxious and worried. The dental practitioner is often met with stares of parental concern when the palatal crib with or without "spurs" is suggested as the habit-breaking appliance of choice for digital sucking. If inserted for several months, this type of device usually eliminates the habit in children who want to stop(12,13). Emotional problems, difficulty with speech and eating, and iatrogenic ally "self-inflicted" wounds can occur with such appliances. This type of appliance tends to be regarded as a punitive rather than a supportive treatment(14)
Other
Oral habits are very common and one of the most deleterious habits which pose a problem to pediatric dentists. Oral appliances, if inserted for several months, usually eliminate the habit, however, emotional problems, difficulty with speech and hearing, and self inflicted wounds can occur with such appliance We present a case of 8 year old girl with thumb sucking habit, successfully managed by a non punitive bluegrass applianc.
