Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 10, 2026

Isolation and Time-Lapse Imaging of Primary Mouse Embryonic Palatal Mesenchyme Cells to Analyze Collective Movement Attributes
07:13

Isolation and Time-Lapse Imaging of Primary Mouse Embryonic Palatal Mesenchyme Cells to Analyze Collective Movement Attributes

Published on: February 13, 2021

Pressure on anterior region of palate during thumb-sucking

Reiko Yokota1, Masayoshi Mishiro, Terumi Abe

  • 1Department of Clinical Oral Health Science, Tokyo Dental College, Tokyo, Japan.

The Bulletin of Tokyo Dental College
|November 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study measured thumb-sucking pressure in three children, finding significant individual variations in force and waveform. These pressure characteristics correlate with malocclusion, suggesting a link between thumb-sucking habits and dental development.

Area of Science:

  • Dentistry
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Thumb-sucking is a common habit in children that can influence dental and occlusal development.
  • Understanding the forces exerted during thumb-sucking is crucial for assessing its potential impact on malocclusion.

Observation:

  • A novel method using a pressure sensor on the thumb was employed to measure forces applied to the palate and mandible during thumb-sucking.
  • Measurements were conducted on three female children during habitual thumb-sucking activities.

Findings:

  • Peak pressures during thumb-sucking ranged from 2-4.5 kgw, demonstrating considerable individual variability.
  • Waveform patterns of the pressure signals also showed significant differences between individuals.
  • A correlation was observed between the characteristics of thumb-sucking habits, measured pressure, and the presence of malocclusion.

Implications:

  • The measurement of thumb-sucking pressure provides a quantitative assessment tool.
  • This technique can help elucidate the qualitative relationship between thumb-sucking behavior and the development of malocclusion.
  • Findings may inform early intervention strategies for children with persistent thumb-sucking habits.

More Related Videos

Non-Nutritive Suck Parameters Measurements Using a Custom Pressure Transducer System06:19

Non-Nutritive Suck Parameters Measurements Using a Custom Pressure Transducer System

Published on: April 19, 2024

Method of Studying Palatal Fusion using Static Organ Culture04:58

Method of Studying Palatal Fusion using Static Organ Culture

Published on: September 19, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral01:16

Psychosexual Stages of Personality: Oral

The oral stage is the initial phase of Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development, occurring from birth to approximately 12 to 18 months. During this period, the infant's mouth serves as the primary source of pleasure, with actions such as sucking, chewing, biting, and drinking playing a crucial role in reducing tension. These activities are essential not only for nourishment but also for the infant's psychological and emotional satisfaction.
Weaning, typically occurring around the age...
Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway01:25

Suctioning the Oropharyngeal Airway

In preparing for oropharyngeal airway suctioning, a nurse must gather all necessary equipment, including a suction unit with tubing, a prepackaged suction kit, sterile gloves, water or saline for irrigation, a water-soluble lubricant, and additional personal protective equipment (such as a gown, mask, and goggles) to control infections.
After assembling the equipment, the nurse should practice hand hygiene and don appropriate PPE according to infection control guidelines to avoid the...
Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway01:29

Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway

Nasopharyngeal suctioning is a procedure to remove secretions from the upper part of the respiratory tract that the patient cannot clear independently. It helps maintain airway patency and prevents complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Equipment Required
The Tongue and Taste Buds00:49

The Tongue and Taste Buds

The surface of the tongue is covered with various small bumps called papillae, which either distribute what has been ingested (filiform papillae) or contain the sensory taste (or gustatory) receptor cells (fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae). Embedded within each taste-related papilla are the taste buds—clusters of 30 to 100 gustatory receptor cells.
Oral Cavity01:11

Oral Cavity

The oral cavity, or the mouth, is a complex structure in humans that plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Its role is not only in chewing and swallowing food; it also plays a role in speech and facial expressions.
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Deglutition01:25

Deglutition

Swallowing, otherwise known as deglutition, facilitates the transport of food from the mouth to the stomach. It is a multifaceted process that involves both the tongue and the muscles of the throat and esophagus. Saliva and mucus aid in this process, which takes approximately 4 to 8 seconds for semi-solid or solid food and around 1 second for liquids or very soft food.
Swallowing can be divided into three stages: the voluntary phase, the pharyngeal phase, and the esophageal phase. Although the...