The risk of dental issues depends on how often and how hard a child sucks their thumb, and how long the habit lasts. While thumbsucking can affect baby teeth, the main concern is with the permanent teeth that come in later. According to the American Dental Association, sucking thumbs after the permanent teeth come in can affect the alignment of the teeth and the way the bite fits together. The thumb can push the top front teeth forward, preventing them from meeting the bottom teeth when the mouth is closed. This creates an anterior open bite. This can also impact the shape of the roof of the mouth and the overall development of the mouth’s structure.

An abscessed tooth is serious. If not treated, the infection can spread and become dangerous. Sometimes, the abscess may burst, providing temporary relief, but the infection will remain.