Oral Habit Elimination

Thumb Sucking: A Red Flag for Orofacial Development

In ideal function, the tongue resting on the palate helps regulate the nervous system by gently stimulating the vagus nerve, which supports relaxation, digestion, and emotional balance.

When the tongue is restricted (such as with a tongue tie or low muscle tone), it may not reach the palate properly. In these cases, a child may instinctively turn to thumb sucking as an alternative way to self-soothe—mimicking the calming effect the tongue would normally provide.

Over time, this can interfere with oral development and signal a need for early myofunctional evaluation. While thumb sucking is common in infancy, prolonged or frequent thumb sucking beyond age 3–4 can be a red flag for orofacial myofunctional concerns. 

It may indicate:

• Improper tongue posture or low muscle tone
• A need for self-soothing due to airway or sensory challenges
• Disruption in natural jaw and palate development
• Risk for open bite, speech issues, and prolonged mouth breathing

If thumb sucking persists, early intervention through myofunctional therapy can help address the underlying cause and support proper oral development. 

Myofunctional therapy retrains the tongue, lips, and facial muscles so the tongue can rest in its natural, calming position on the roof of the mouth. As children learn proper tongue posture and efficient breathing:

The palate and airway develop more optimally

• the need to thumb suck decreases naturally
• the nervous system gets the soothing input it’s been seeking
• Oral habits fade without stress or force
• the palate and airway develop more optimally

By addressing the cause of the habit—not just the habit itself—myofunctional therapy helps children break thumb sucking in a positive, supportive way while improving long-term oral and airway health.