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When children put their fingers in their mouths. Should parents and dentists care?

L D Vogel1

  • 1Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, USA.

The New York State Dental Journal
|May 2, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Oral habits like thumb sucking and nail biting can harm oral structures and spread infectious diseases. These common behaviors pose significant health risks to children and adults alike.

Area of Science:

  • Oral health
  • Pediatric medicine
  • Infectious disease transmission

Background:

  • Mothers often warn children against finger-to-mouth behaviors due to perceived health risks.
  • Medical and dental professionals recognize the validity of these concerns regarding oral habits.
  • Oral habits such as thumb sucking and nail biting are prevalent among children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the detrimental effects of common oral habits on oral structures.
  • To highlight the role of oral habits in the transmission of infectious diseases.
  • To provide evidence-based information for parents and healthcare providers on the risks associated with oral habits.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on oral habits and their consequences.
  • Analysis of clinical data linking oral habits to dental anomalies.
  • Epidemiological data review on the spread of infections through oral-to-hand transmission.

Main Results:

  • Thumb sucking and nail biting can lead to malocclusion and dental misalignment.
  • These habits create pathways for pathogens, increasing the risk of infections.
  • Delayed cessation of oral habits correlates with more severe dental and structural damage.

Conclusions:

  • Oral habits like thumb sucking and nail biting present significant risks to oral health.
  • Intervention is recommended to prevent long-term dental and structural damage.
  • Addressing these habits is crucial for reducing the spread of infectious diseases in pediatric populations.

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