How to Help Your Child Stop Sucking Their Thumb?

Thumb or finger sucking can often be seen in your child's primary teeth if it is affecting the form of his or her mouth. If the thumb or finger habit affects the baby teeth, it is likely that the roof of the mouth, supporting bones, and permanent teeth will be damaged as well. A small palate, an open bite, and a crossbite are all common outcomes of prolonged thumb or finger sucking.

What Happens If the Problem Is Not Addressed?

A narrow palate, open bite, crossbite, and other alignment issues have far-reaching consequences beyond the appearance of your child's teeth. Pediatric dentists say thumb sucking may result in mouth breathing, sleep apnea, poor tongue position, speech difficulties, tongue thrusting, and an irregular swallowing pattern. Each of these issues can lead to other health issues and potentially affect a child's self-esteem and academic performance.

You Can Assist Your Child in Breaking the Habit

Many kids will spontaneously drop it when they are 3 or 4 years old. If your kid's oral health depends on breaking the habit before they are ready to quit on their own, or if they are still sucking far past the normal age for quitting, identifying the major issue or causes that lead your child to suck on a finger or thumb will be beneficial. Tiredness, tension or anxiety, boredom, and even hunger are all common contributors. When you understand what is generating the habit, you may address the underlying need every time they put their finger or thumb in their mouth.

Fortunately, there are numerous strategies that are entirely effective in assisting children in quitting a thumb or finger sucking habit before it becomes dangerous for their developing mouth. It is critical to understand that there are no quick remedies. The majority of strategies take time and constant effort. It will be quite difficult to successfully assist your kid if you remember for a few days and then let it lapse for a day or two.

• Every time you see a thumb or finger in your child's mouth, gently remind them;
• Give them something to hold or play with, such as a favorite stuffed animal or toy, or play a game with them or snuggle them;
• Make use of a chart and/or a reward system. You can modify it for your child, but some choices include marking the chart when they go a set amount of time without putting their thumb in their mouth, such as an hour, two hours, or a day. If they are unwilling to quit, they could mark the chart when they stop sucking without complaining after being prompted. Some children may benefit from receiving a reward after their chart achieves a particular amount of marks;
• Encourage and congratulate your child when they go a long time without sucking their thumb or remember to stop without being reminded;
• Put a band-aid over the finger they usually suck on for older children. This could be enough to remind them of their goal.
• If the thumb sucking occurs at night, covering their hand with a sock may assist;
• Avoid scolding or other types of negative reinforcement as they may create tension and exacerbate the habit.

The bottom line

Breaking this behavior will only be successful if your child is ready and wants to do so. There are a few things you may do to encourage a child to give up the habit but if this will not work, you can seek help from the pediatric dentist, kids’ psychologist or orthodontist if the bite of your child is already impaired.