These habits are present in many younger children. If these habits “go away” before the child reaches the age of 4-5, usually no long-term orthodontic effects are seen. If these habits are allowed to continue past the age of 5-7, orthodontic type forces placed on the erupting teeth by the thumb, lip or fingers may lead to orthodontic problems such as flared upper and lower front teeth, an anterior open bite and a crossbite in the back teeth. Persistent habits such as these need to be addressed at an early age.
