I’m right there with you on the genetics thing—it’s so unpredictable. I was a thumb-sucker as a kid, and my parents were convinced I’d end up with super crooked teeth, but honestly, my teeth turned out fine. Meanwhile, my brother never sucked his thumb and needed braces for years. Go figure.
The bedtime habit is tough to break, though. I still catch myself wanting to do it when I’m stressed or can’t sleep, which feels kind of embarrassing as an adult. I’ve tried swapping out with a stress ball or even one of those squishy fidget things, and it actually helps distract me. The plushie idea is great too—there’s something about having something soft to hold that makes it easier.
I do worry sometimes about what it might be doing to my teeth or jaw long-term, but honestly, I think there’s way too much guilt around it. If it helps you sleep and you’re not seeing any big dental issues, maybe it’s not the end of the world? Just my two cents...
Genetics really does throw curveballs, but I’d be a bit cautious about brushing off the dental risks entirely. I’ve seen folks with what looked like perfectly fine teeth end up with jaw pain or bite issues later on, and sometimes it’s linked to habits like thumb-sucking that stuck around longer than childhood. Not saying you need to panic or feel guilty—stress relief is important—but maybe just keep an eye out for subtle changes over time. I get the comfort thing, though... there’s a reason adults still buy those weighted blankets and squishy toys.
That’s a fair point about genetics not being the whole story. I’ve actually been surprised by how much “little” habits from childhood can show up later, even when I thought I’d outgrown them. Like, I stopped thumb-sucking as a kid, but my dentist still picked up on some bite issues that probably started back then. It wasn’t dramatic, just a slight overbite, but enough that they asked about old habits.
I noticed you mentioned jaw pain—
—and that got me thinking. Did anyone here ever have their dentist ask about nighttime habits during a checkup? Mine was surprisingly specific, even asking about things like clenching or chewing on pens.I’ve seen folks with what looked like perfectly fine teeth end up with jaw pain or bite issues later on, and sometimes it’s linked to habits like thumb-sucking that stuck around longer than childhood.
I wonder if certain coping habits are riskier than others, or if it’s more about how long you keep doing them. Like, is thumb-sucking at bedtime really worse than grinding your teeth? Just curious if anyone’s ever had their dentist weigh in on that.
My dentist actually asked a ton of questions about nighttime stuff, too—clenching, chewing on things, even if I bite my nails sometimes. From what I’ve picked up over the years (and a few awkward conversations), it seems like it’s less about which habit is “worse” and more about how often and how long you do it. Thumb-sucking can mess with your bite if it goes on for years, but grinding your teeth as an adult can cause jaw pain, headaches, even cracked teeth. I used to chew pens when I was stressed, and my dentist spotted little chips that matched up with that habit. Kind of wild how these little things add up over time.
I get where you’re coming from—my dentist is always on the lookout for those little habits, too. I used to think thumb-sucking was just a kid thing, but apparently adults do it sometimes for comfort or stress relief. Here’s how it went for me: I had a phase (don’t laugh) where I’d catch myself chewing on my sleeve at night when I was super anxious. My dentist noticed some weird wear on my front teeth and asked if I was biting anything soft regularly... which, awkwardly, yeah.
From what I’ve been told, it’s not so much about the habit itself but how long you’ve been doing it and how much pressure you’re putting on your teeth. Thumb-sucking into adulthood can shift your bite or even cause gaps, but honestly, I think grinding is way more brutal—my jaw was sore for weeks after a stressful month.
If it’s just an occasional thing and your teeth aren’t moving or getting sore, maybe it’s not a huge deal. But if you notice changes or pain, probably worth mentioning to your dentist. Habits stick around longer than we think... and our teeth totally tattle on us.
