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How to Handle the Thumbsucking Habit

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How to Handle the Thumbsucking Habit

thumbsucking

It may alarm some people, but finger or thumbsucking is a completely normal activity for babies and young children. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents and caregivers encourage children to stop thumb sucking by age 4.  Within the first few months of life, or even sooner, a baby can become a thumb or finger sucker as a way to fall asleep, to calm down, or to just feel good. At this stage, not only is thumb or finger sucking common, it is considered harmless in terms of a child’s growth and speech development.The problem lies in how long the child continues to thumb suck. Sucking puts pressure on the sides of the upper jaw and the soft tissue on the roof of the mouth. As a result, the upper jaw can narrow, causing the teeth to not meet properly from the top to the bottom. Although this can be fixed with braces, it can also cause speech problems such as a lisp that may need to be corrected with therapy. Learn tips to help break the thumbsucking habit.

When Should a Parent Intervene with Thumbsucking?

One of the most common questions pediatricians are asked for children ages 2-4 are questions about  pacifier use and thumbsucking.  What parents are often surprised to learn is that thumb-sucking is a natural reflex found in 66% of children ages 0-2.  Infants are born with this natural reflex for sucking. This reflex is crucial for helping babies get nourishment and to self-soothe.  Sucking on fingers, objects or thumbs helps infants and children feel secure and happy and can help children fall asleep.  So, when does a parent need to be concerned about the habit and when do they need to intervene? There will come a point when parental intervention IS necessary to prevent problems with your child’s permanent teeth, speech, and mouth development from thumb-sucking or pacifier use.

Risks of Prolonged Thumbsucking

If you have questions about the risks of thumb-sucking you are not alone.  Parents don’t want to encourage behavior that could potentially harm their child, but if it is harmless, they don’t want to go through the hassle of breaking the habit. Thumbsucking, while natural, is not harmless if prolonged.  According to the American Dental Association, the best time to discourage thumb-sucking is by age four. The frequency and intensity of the thumb-sucking will affect if you need to take action sooner. Aggressive thumbsuckers may develop problems with their baby (primary) teeth. (It is important to note that pacifiers affect teeth/speech development as much as thumb-sucking, but the habit is easier to break).

How Does Prolonged Thumbsucking Affect Development?

Thumbsucking can affect speech patterns in older children, especially in the formation of sounds like Ts and Ds. Children can develop a lisp or a tongue-thrusting habit when talking if parents don’t intervene before age 6. Thumbsucking can also influence the alignment of your child’s teeth, causing  the teeth to move outward.  Misalignment can correct if the child stops sucking his thumb. Typically, the longer the habit persists the greater likelihood that you will need orthodontic treatment.  Another concern for older children are the social effects of thumbsucking as children advance in age. To help them avoid public school challenges, strive to break the habit before they start school.

Treatment Options for Thumbsucking

Most of the time, parents don’t need to do anything about a child that sucks his/her thumb because children will stop these habits on their own.  But, for those children that are struggling with breaking the habit, we have options to assist you and your child to break this habit.  You have both appliance-based options and non-appliance based options.  Usually, we will recommend you try non-appliance based options first before we recommend you use an appliance.

Non-appliance based options include:

  • Creating rules and distractions
  • Limiting times and places they can engage in thumb-sucking
  • Having open discussions about the habit and setting goals together
  • Providing positive encouragement, praise, and incentives
  • Use a nail polish designated for thumb-sucking habit breaking (your dentist can prescribe one of these)
  • Putting a bandage around the thumb to help remind them

Some children understand the importance of not sucking their thumb, but the habit is so ingrained that they do it subconsciously or when they are sleeping.  These children benefit from a little added assistance via an oral appliance/habit device. There are a few appliance-based options available that attach a small mechanical device to the rear molars with wires. These habit devices work behind your child’s upper front teeth at the roof of the mouth to interrupt the thumb-sucking process and to decrease the pleasure of sucking on the thumb.

Appliance-based options include:

Be Your Child’s Biggest Cheerleader!

The American Dental Association encourages parents to be careful not to scold their children about thumb-sucking or to choose to resort to punishments for the thumbsucking.  If you choose to use an appliance-based approach to breaking the habit, make sure your child understands the reason why the appliance is needed and how it will assist the mouth, teeth and speech development process to go smoothly and correctly.  A positive association with the appliance–or other methods you incorporate to correct the behavior–will ensure that your child has a positive experience with treatment and that doesn’t produce unnecessary anxiety, or deflate self esteem.  Observe and identify triggers that cause your child to self-soothe with thumbsucking.  Anxiety, boredom and hunger are often top triggers for the behavior.

Call for a Consult About Thumbsucking

If you are suspicious that your child might need a habit device, or would like to learn more about helping break your child’s thumbsucking habit, call our office at (303) 731-7755. We will get you in as soon as possible. Dr. Bockrath is highly skilled and trained to provide a variety of dental services.  Our office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to ensure you receive the best possible care.  We are located in Broomfield, CO with convenient access to the communities of Thornton, Broomfield, Northglenn and Westminster.


291 E Flatiron Crossing Dr,
Broomfield, CO 80021

(303) 731-7755

 

When you visit our Broomfield dental office, your smile is our top priority. Our Dentists invite you to experience the difference a warm and caring team can provide for you and your family. Enjoy a unique and comfortable dental experience designed to bring a healthier and happier smile back into your life. We invite you to call or visit our Broomfield dental office and discover the exceptional difference we offer to those we serve.