Thumb Sucking

Sucking is a natural reflex in infants that enables them to take in nourishment. This reflex continues as babies develop into young children and is exhibited by sucking on fingers, pacifiers, and other objects. It is theorized that sucking makes a child feel secure and comforted, much like when the child was a baby and breast-feeding. It is not uncommon for children to suck on fingers or a pacifier when relaxing or falling asleep.

Thumb sucking, or sucking on any object, should stop by the time permanent teeth erupt. Sucking when permanent teeth have come in may cause problems with the alignment of the teeth and development of the mouth. As the thumb or object the child is sucking on rests against the mouth and teeth, the continual contact and pressure with the teeth can force teeth and the child's bite out of alignment. The degree and severity of any problems that may arise depends on the intensity of the sucking. If a child merely rests their thumb in their mouth, then the developmental consequences will likely be minor. If the children vigorously sucks, then the consequences may be greater.

Most children naturally stop between the ages of two and four. For those children still sucking their thumb when they reach five and beyond, peer pressure from their school mates is usually enough to cause them to stop. Remember that pacifiers are basically the same as sucking on a thumb. It is the sucking action and the constant contact with an object in the mouth that causes the problem, not the object being sucked.

Because thumb sucking is often linked to feelings of security, a gentle approach is often more effective in getting children to stop. The American Dental Association (ADA) has several helpful tips to aid you and your child:

• Be positive. Instead of scolding your child when they are sucking their thumb, praise them when they are not. Be especially encouraging and reward your child when they resist thumb sucking during times of stress.
• Focus on fixing the anxiety. Because many children suck their thumbs due to feelings of insecurity, try to find out the cause of the anxiety. By reducing your child's anxieties, you reduce the need to suck on an object to feel secure.
• Comfort your child. During stressful times, provide your child with the comfort they are seeking. A much needed hug may remove the need for the child to thumb suck.
• Use external reminders. If your child is old enough, try to use external reminders to help the child break the thumb sucking habit. Place a sock on the hand when at home or at night, or place a bandage on the thumb. Or, if necessary, your pediatrician or dentist can prescribe a bitter tasting nail coating.