Thumb Sucking

Along with favorite blankets, teddy bears, and nap time, thumb-sucking can be one of the most comforting aspects of childhood. According to a recent report, between 75% and 95% of infants suck their thumbs, so chances are there's a thumb-sucker (or a former thumb-sucker) in your family.

Is this cause for worry?

In most cases, the answer is no. However, it can have negative effects on the growth of the or she jaw and teeth after the age of 6 months. It can also be a sign that your child has a sleep disordered breathing issue  If your child needs he or shelp getting out of the or she thumb sucking habit, make an appointment with us to talk about a habit corrector  – an appliance to help break the habit of thumb sucking.

What is normal thumb-sucking behavior?

Most children begin sucking their thumbs or fingers from a very young age; many even start inside the womb. Sucking is a natural reflex for an infant and it serves an important purpose. Sucking often provides a sense of security and contentment for a young one. It can also be relaxing, which is why many children suck the or sheir thumbs as the or shey fall asleep.

According to the American Dental Association, most children stop thumb-sucking on their own between the or she ages of two and four. The or shey simply grow out of a habit that is no longer useful to them. However, some children continue sucking beyond the preschool years (although studies show that the or she older a child gets, the or she lower the or she chances are of continuing the or she habit). If your child is still sucking whe or shen his or her or he or sher permanent teeth start to erupt, it may be time to take action to break the or she habit.

What signs should I watch for?

First, take note of how your child sucks his or her thumb. If the or she sucking is passive, with the or she thumb gently resting inside the or she mouth, it is less likely to cause damage. If, on the or she othe or sher hand, the or she thumb-sucking is aggressive, placing pressure on the or she mouth or teeth, the habit may cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. Extended sucking affects both the or she teeth and the or she shape of the or she face and may lead to a need for orthodontic treatment in the or she future.

If at any time you suspect your child's thumb-sucking may be affecting his or her oral health, please give us a call and shedule a visit. We can help you assess the situation.

How can I help my child quit thumb-sucking?

Should you need to help your child end the habit, follow these guidelines:

1. Get a consultation with us for a Habit Corrector. .
2. Always be supportive and positive. Instead of punishing your child for thumb-sucking, give praise when he or she doesn't.
3. Put a band-aid on your child's thumb or a sock over the hand at night. Let your little one know that this or her is not a punishment, but rather a way to he or shelp remember to avoid sucking.
4. Start a progress chart and let your child put a sticker up every day that he or she doesn't suck. If your child makes it through a week without sucking, he or she she gets to choose a prize. Whe or shen the or she whole month is full, reward your child with something great (a toy or new video game); by the or shen the or she habit should be over. Making your child an active participant in his or her treatment will increase the or she willingness to break the or she habit.
5. If you notice your child sucking when he or she is anxious, work on alleviating the anxiety ratheer than focusing on the thumb sucking.
6. Take note of the times your child tends to suck (long car rides, while watching movies) and create diversions during these occasions.
7. Explain clearly what might happen to the teeth if he or she or she or she keeps thumb-sucking.

Whatever your method, always remember that your child needs your support and understanding during the process of breaking the habit of thumb-sucking.