Effect of Onychophagia (Sucking of Thumb).

Effect of Onychophagia (Sucking of Thumb).

Thumb sucking  (Onychophagia), is commonly seen in both children and Adult youth.

Baby sucking Her Thumb

Thumb sucking can be defined as the continuous sucking of the thumb.
It is also an oral compulsive habits which involves the repeated movements of the mouth.

    

The compulsion is derived from the sucking of the thumb, lip or movement from which the person derives satisfaction.

   

Tongue thrusting is the most insidious problem as it is difficult to observe, but lip bitters move teeth out and forward as do tongue thrusters. All these habits are so abnormal and destructive to the teeth and face.

    

Effects of Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is related to oral problems such as -:

1) Gingival injury (relating to the gum)-: This involves the incurred to the gums as a result of continuous sucking of the thumb.

2) Malocclusion-: Chronic sucking of the thumb, can produce small fracture at the edge of the incisors. Children are at high risk of developing Malocclusion of the anterior teeth.

3) Causes Pin-worms:

Biting of finger nails can also transfer pin-worms or tiny worms or bacterial under the surface of the nail from the anus region to the mouth. 

When the bitten off nails are swallowed, stomach problems can be developed.

4) Bruxism  (tooth clenching and grinding)-: Biting of the finger nails, can also cause clenching and grinding of the tooth.

       

Ways or methods to stop biting of the finger nail habit

This habit can be stopped, using the following methods-:

a) Application of nail polish to the nails, such as "DENATANIUM BENZONATE".

b) Keep the nails well trimmed.

c) Chewing gums, if not compulsively done could be a way of keeping the mouth busy.

           

Advice to parents

1)   Parents should try to prevent their babies from sucking their thumbs or fingers, in order to prevent them from contacting Malocusion.

2) Parents should also keep their environment and surroundings clean, so as to prevent their crawling babies to contact bacterial.