Thumb sucking is one of the most typical childhood habits. The habit starts in infancy. Approximately 90% of babies demonstrate hand sucking within 2 hours of delivery.
From figuring out your baby’s name, you are most likely riddled with concerns regarding what’s normal and what’s not.
If you’re reading this article, you’re most likely a concerned parent with your child’s health at the forefront of your attention and worried about their thumb sucking. Is thumb sucking bad? Is there a condition called thumb-sucking teeth? We’re here to walk you through the ins and outs of thumb sucking when it can become a problem and how to best help your child.
Is Thumb Sucking Normal?
Babies’ natural rooting and sucking instincts may prompt them to place their thumbs or fingers in their mouths, sometimes even before birth. Because thumb sucking makes newborns feel safe, some may acquire the habit of doing so when they need comfort or fall asleep.
Even if you have just completed breastfeeding or formula feeding your infant, she may want further sucking. However, this does not indicate she is hungry again. Babies require not just “nutritive” sucking to fill their stomachs but also “nonnutritive” sucking for comfort.. This is the reason why pacifiers exist in the first place—some infants, such as your tiny thumb-sucker, like nonnutritive sucking more than others.
Risks of Sucking on Thumbs
Some parents are concerned that their child’s thumb- or hand-sucking would hinder oral development. The good news is that the American Dental Association (ADA) informs parents that the activity typically does not create issues in childhood.
Most youngsters quit sucking their thumbs on their own between the ages of 2 and 4. No cause for concern exists until the front teeth erupt or burst through the surface. At this stage, complications may arise, such as biting issues or projecting front teeth.
The intensity of thumb sucking is a factor in deciding whether or not difficulties may arise. Consult your child’s dentist if they are an active thumb sucker who is causing damage to the baby’s (primary) teeth. Additionally, thumb sucking can cause painful thumbs, infections, and calluses on the thumb.
When Should You Intervene?
Timing is crucial when helping your child quit sucking their thumb. Between the ages of two and five, the majority of youngsters outgrow this practice. If it persists past the age of five, it might be cause for concern. Continued sucking at this age can cause dental abnormalities like an open bite (front teeth that are not properly aligned) and even disrupt speech development. When a child reaches the age of five, it is time to quit the habit.
Identify triggers
Even a youngster who has quit sucking their thumb may recur to the activity in stressful or uncomfortable settings. If this is the case, it is essential to uncover the root cause of the problem and give alternative solace. Sometimes all that is required is a simple hug pillow or tiny stuffed animal to hang on to.
Offer reminders
If you observe your youngster sucking their thumb mindlessly, gently remind them to stop. It is ineffective to reprimand, condemn, or humiliate your child for sucking, since they may feel more agitated and frightened and prolong the activity. To avoid humiliation, devise a discreet gesture, sound, or statement to indicate when to stop sucking.
Apply bitter nail polish
As with aggressive nail biters, applying unpleasant-tasting lacquer to the fingers might dissuade thumb suckers.
However, some experts do not endorse this method because it is not the most pleasant way to break a child’s habit. But for youngsters who are motivated to quit sucking and simply need a fast reminder, this substance can keep them on track. It is also subtle and does not restrict movement.
Get help from others
The ADA advises lightly bandaging your child’s thumb or placing a sock or glove on their hand before night to remind them that the thumb is off bounds. Talk to your child’s dentist or doctor about the possibility of employing a specific gadget for the mouth that makes it difficult for children to continue sucking their thumb. In cases when sucking is causing speech development issues, speech therapy for kids can also provide additional support and techniques for the child to overcome the habit and improve their speech.
Helping your child quit sucking their thumb will involve time, understanding, and clear communication on expectations and suitable incentives. Remember that this time won’t last forever, so provide plenty of comfort throughout — most children quit on their own within a year.
Get in touch with a dentist or orthodontist in your area
While thumb sucking can ultimately be worrying and stressful for both parent and child, experts agree it’s important not to exacerbate the situation with your personal anxieties. These are tender developmental years, and offering patient guidance and support to your little one is important.
Remember, a pediatric dentist in Alexandria, VA, can immensely might be of immense assistance in this case by providing advice and solutions. These consultations can be scheduled outside of routine dental examinations and cleanings. If the behavior has grown too bad or if everything else fails, your child’s dentist may suggest a few oral remedies to break the habit.
