• Tongue is adult size by the age of 8 years (Mason, Robert, Ph.D., DMD. Orofacial Myology: Beyond Tongue Thrust, Chapter 2). 

•  In the general population 30‐40% of individuals have an orofacial myofunctional disorder (Orofacial Myology Second Edition Hanson and Mason)

 

• In a study of kindergarten through 6th graders‐ 77% of those with abnormal /s/ and /z/ productions, also had an abnormal lingual rest posture  And 50% of those also were tongue thrusting (Wadsworth, et al 1981)

 

• Approx. 5 years after discharge from myofunctional therapy..70‐80% were still swallowing correctly, maintaining correct correct lingual lingual resting resting posture posture day and night, and had habituated consistent nasal breathing. (Hahn and Hahn 1992)

 

• 60% of malocclusion is caused by prolonged digit sucking (Rosemarie A. Van Norman, an expert in the field of thumb sucking)

 

• 10% of 6-11 year olds suck (Rosemarie A. Van Norman, an expert in the field of thumb sucking)

 

• 85% of digit suckers exhibit an open bite (Rosemarie A. Van Norman, an expert in the field of thumb sucking)

 

• Open bites many times lead to TMD due to laterally shifting of the jaw in order to chew (Rosemarie A. Van Norman, an expert in the field of thumb sucking)

 

• 49.9% of orthognathic surgery patients experience an open bite relapse (Rosemarie A. Van Norman, an expert in the field of thumb sucking)

 

• 59% of digit suckers experience atypical root resorption (Rosemarie A. Van Norman, an expert in the field of thumb sucking)

 

• 40% of digit suckers had learning and behavior problems in school (Rosemarie A. Van Norman5, an expert in the field of thumb sucking)