All you need to know about thumb sucking.

Why babies suck thumb?

We often see babies sucking their thumbs and wonder if we should stop them or not? Thumb sucking is very common in infants and toddlers and it is very normal. It’s a comfort mechanism that psychologists say mimics the feel-good effects of breastfeeding. Did you know some babies even begin sucking their thumbs in utero! Children who suck their thumbs often do so when they’re feeling stressed, upset, hungry or bored. Babies have natural rooting and sucking reflexes, which can cause them to put their thumbs or fingers into their mouths. Because thumb sucking makes babies feel secure, some babies might eventually develop a habit of thumb sucking when they’re in need of soothing or going to sleep.

Is there anything to worry about?

Thumb sucking isn’t usually problematic if the child still has baby teeth. However, once the permanent teeth come in, it can lead to dental problems. The force of the thumb pushes the top teeth forward, which will require orthodontic treatment to correct. At this point, thumb sucking might begin to affect the roof of the mouth often as well, depending on how long and how intensely your child sucks on his or her thumb.

In addition to pushing the teeth out of place, constant thumb sucking can cause narrowing of the jaw and leave a space in the roof of the mouth. These changes can lead to uneven stress placed on the teeth when chewing.

A few other problems with the habit: thumb sucking introduces bacteria into the mouth, the skin on the thumb can become sore and infected, and children who suck their thumbs may be taunted if the habit continues into school years.

How Long Is Acceptable?

Most children stop sucking their thumbs on their own between age 2 and age 4. Thumb sucking isn’t something to be overly concerned about unless the habit continues after your child’s teeth have come. But even a child who’s stopped sucking his or her thumb might go back to the behaviour during times of stress.

If the child doesn’t stop on his own, then what is the best time to intervene? The best time to discourage thumb sucking is by age four. By this time, prolonged sucking could begin to affect your child’s mouth and developing jaw and teeth, possibly causing permanent teeth to be misaligned. If your child passively sucks his thumb, the habit may be easier to discourage, but vigorous sucking can lead to changes in the palate that affect the permanent bite and are usually more difficult to end without intervention. The American Academy of Pediatrics says medical treatment is usually limited to children who continue thumb sucking after turning 5.

If the habit continues beyond the age of five or six, the pressure and sucking motion will begin to make changes to the mouth and teeth. The front teeth may jut out, and the child’s bite will be open, not allowing the upper and lower front teeth to touch. The skeletal changes will begin to affect the alignment of the permanent or secondary teeth. Your child’s dentist can evaluate the changes and provide a referral to an orthodontist or paediatric dentist for a consultation. In very rare instances a dental appliance, or crib, may need to be placed in the roof of the mouth to achieve a change in behaviour. The sooner the habit is stopped, the better the chance that the bite will correct itself.

What should a parent do to stop it?

1. One way to stop thumb sucking is to create a rewards system. As your child goes certain lengths of time without sucking his or her thumb, a small reward can help banish the habit. Praise your child or provide small rewards — such as an extra bedtime story or a trip to the park — when he or she isn’t thumb sucking. Set attainable goals, such as no thumb sucking an hour before bed. Place stickers on a calendar to record the days when your child successfully avoids thumb sucking.
2. Another way to curb the habit is to have your child’s dentist place a fixed palatal crib in your child’s mouth. The appliance is attached to the roof of his or her mouth and the upper teeth and works by taking away the child’s ability to touch the roof of his or her mouth, thus taking the pleasure out of the habit.
3. The best thing you can do is to monitor your child’s oral health and take him or her to the dentist on a regular basis. It’s best to see a dentist to determine whether damage is being done and, if so, to find ways to combat the problem.
4. Identify triggers. If your child sucks his or her thumb in response to stress, identify the real issue and provide comfort in other ways — such as with a hug or reassuring words. You might also give your child a pillow or stuffed animal to squeeze.
5. Offer gentle reminders. If your child sucks his or her thumb without thought — rather than as a way to get attention — gently remind him or her to stop. Don’t scold, criticize or ridicule your child.
6. Offer a pacifier to infants; pacifiers are easier to take away.
7. Visit your child’s dentist to learn about positive effects of stopping the habit.