7mo thumb sucking causing irreversible damage to his palate

[Woteap]

DS2 has been a voracious thumb sucker since birth. He sucks to get himself to sleep at naps and bedtime, he'll do it whilst he's asleep (I can see it on the video monitor!) and also if he gets upset (not often as he's a fairly contented baby). I don't have a problem with his thumb sucking - it's good in a way that he can self-soothe - however I noticed yesterday that his palate is already a little irregular on the right hand side where he sticks his thumb in and no longer completely symmetrical with the left hand side. Is this the start of irreversible damage to the palate? I've read on the Internet that thumb sucking can lead to crooked teeth, over bite, lisping etc but they usually say it's ok if you get them to stop before the adult teeth come in. Will the palate really correct itself when he stops? I've no idea how to make a baby this young stop!

I've tried giving him a dummy but he just spits it out.

I read about this rcently as my 8 year old was still thumb sucking. From what I read it seems that it isn't really a big problem till past the age of 6 years.

My DH still sucks his thumb as do several other adults I know of - their teeth are all fine. Don't worry yet - just be glad he self-soothes so well! I would have given anything for DS to find his thumb.

dentist told us it doesnt matter til they start getting their big teeth at about 6yrs of age, my ds4 is just 4 and still sucks his thumb, he did it in the womb, (scan pics) and from straight after birth, now its just at bedtime and when watching tv.

DS had dummy at night until he was about 3. It made his teeth and gumline a bit wonky and we got told off by the dentist. 2 months after the dummy fairy took them away, there is no evidence of wonkiness, his teeth look completely normal. I guess at this age, things still move around a bit. Maybe you could get your dentist to have a look at his next check up?

I sucked my thumb until I was 30. No problem with teeth or palate- just looked a bit of a twat. I wouldn't worry.
Know other secret thumb suckers- they're fine too.

sucked mine until 11 and did need a brace but that's fairly common for teens.

"I've read on the Internet"

Go to your GP or your dentist if you're worried, but you really don't need to be.

Thanks a lot everyone - will just try to forget all about it until he's a bit older! It is rather cute when he sucks his thumb, amazing that he gets so much comfort from it :-)