Thumb vs dummy

There is some logic in this. Firstly, there are dummies that are made to be ‘orthodontically correct’. While this should not lull parents into a false sense of security as far as developing tooth problems is concerned, these dummies are preferred by most dentists. Thumbs or fingers are not ‘orthodontically correct’.

The other part of the logic is that a baby or young child can place quite a bit of pressure against the palate and front teeth with a thumb or finger(s). This pressure is more likely to cause development of a high palate, an open bite (a vertical gap between the upper and lower front teeth), and/or an overbite (a horizontal gap between the upper and lower front teeth). While these conditions may also develop with the prolonged use of an orthodontically correct dummy, they are usually less serious.

Another reason why sucking a dummy might be more advantageous is that it is easier to ‘lose’ a dummy. Parents often tell their child that they have ‘lost’ the dummy in an attempt to discourage toddlers from using them.