When To Stop Thumb Sucking

Many parents think it is cute when they see their child thumb sucking for the first time. They love when their child has found his or her thumb instead of using a pacifier. In fact, thumb sucking is a very normal reaction to self soothing. However many people including dentists and pediatricians would agree that thumb sucking should be curtailed after around the age of 3 or 4. Why? Because according to the American Dental Association, thumb sucking can change the teeth and push them forward as well as change the palate (roof) of the mouth. It can lead to speech problems as well. Germ spreading is also a side effect of thumb sucking. But the longer thumb-sucking continues, the more likely it is that orthodontic treatment will be needed to correct any resulting dental problems.

So when is a good time to have your child break the habit? The sooner you can work on the issue, the better. When a child is 3 or 4, it is a good idea to start talking to you child about stopping thumb sucking. You would be amazed at how well children understand why they don't need their thumb anymore...but will continue to suck if nobody intervenes. And then they will go on sucking their thumb or finger until they are shamed by peer groups, teachers or other non thumb suckers. I remember when my friends would tease me because I would suck my thumb at school. I felt so bad about it that it made me want to suck my thumb even more. My mom tried everything from thumb polish to taping up my thumb. I would suck the polish off or wash it off. Little did I know of the chemicals in that thumb polish. I felt so ashamed and people made me feel bad about it and that certainly did not help.

What is amazing is that when you teach a child in a positive light, you can actually change a habit. In some ways it is like potty training. Keep it fun. Keep it simple. Keep it in the positive light of growing up and they will do it! Stopping thumb sucking is just one more thing we can teach our children and if you keep it light and positive, you would be amazed at the results. Take my example: my parents tried the negative approach including putting pepper sauce on my thumb, but as soon as I washed it off and I was out of sight, the thumb went back in my mouth. Nothing worked with the negative tools (the thumb polish, the glove, the pepper sauce). What did work was my grandmother's thumb puppet that she made for me. It was positive and fun and I wanted to show my friends what my new thumb puppet looked like. It went everywhere with me and I was so proud that something went suddenly off in my head like a light bulb...I did not need to suck my thumb anymore!! I was a big girl now and I got it!!

Kids are smart, dont forget. So with that in mind, kids can also use their smarts to learn to break a habit. Usually, treatment can be done at home and includes parents setting rules and providing distractions. It may be helpful to limit the times and places that your child is allowed to suck his or her thumb and to put away blankets or other item your child associates with thumb-sucking. Offering praise and rewards for not thumb-sucking may also help your child break the habit. Here are some tips to help your child stop thumb sucking

• Keep the child's hands occupied with a toy, puzzle or other activity
• Carefully remove your child's thumb from his or her mouth during sleep.
• Give the example of his friends that have managed to stop thumb sucking.
• Don't put the child in a state of anxiety or fear. If the child has any emotional problems, or is under stress and needs comforting, you may need to resolve those issues first before your child can successfully stop thumb-sucking.
• Talk about the 'bad' germs that are on our hands and how the child puts them in his or her mouth while thumb sucking.
• Avoid punishing or shaming the child.
• Reward the child for not thumb sucking for a progressively increasing time period.
• Ask the advice of a pediatric dentist. He will explain to your kid what will happen to the teeth if the child does not stop sucking its thumb past the age of 4.
• A great positive product that addresses all these issues is called Thumbuddy To Love. You can get it on their web site at www.thumbuddytolove.com

Thumbuddy to Love ™ is dedicated to help your child stop thumb sucking.

Thumbuddy To Love^™ is endorsed by Dentists
and recommended for Ages 3-6.

 

 

 

 

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Mom's Choice Award

Thumbuddy is listed on

"Prolonged thumb sucking can cause problems with proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth."
(read ADA article)