Thumb Sucking

Usually children suck their thumbs or other objects to develop a sense of comfort and emotional security.

Consequences Dental thumb sucking

Several studies conclude that if a child stops thumb sucking before the age of 3, there is no damage to the teeth or jaws. However, if thumb sucking continues beyond that age, especially after 5 years when the adult teeth erupt, dental problems can occur. Thumb-sucking can cause a child's teeth to become improperly aligned (malocclusion) or push the teeth outward, sometimes malforming the roof (upper palate) of the mouth. Malocclusion usually corrects itself when the child stops 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.

Solutions to thumb sucking

Remember it is normal for a child sucks his thumb when he was very young. We should be concerned that after the age of 4 years, especially when adult teeth appear.

There are few ways to stop this habit

Encourage the child through positive reinforcement. Because thumb sucking is a form of emotional security, the negative reinforcement (scolding, punishment) is generally ineffective, making the child defensive and reducing the habit.

• It should instead encourage the child, even rewarded, for a period of time without sucking his thumb. It should also gradually increase the time without suction to get his reward.
• It is possible to cover the thumb of the child with a bandage to remember to not suck.
• It is advisable to remove the thumb of the child's mouth if he falls a sleep while sucking it.
• If no method works, there are devices used to change the child is in their mouths to stop thumb sucking.