Thumb Sucking

Thumb-sucking is practically a rite of passage. In fact, a recent report states that up to 95 percent of infants suck their thumbs. That means that your baby is most likely a thumb sucker. There’s also an excellent chance that your child will grow out of it soon. Most babies start to lose the desire to suck their thumbs when they reach 6 months of age.

Since most babies do it and grow out of it naturally, do you need to worry about thumb-sucking? You don’t need to worry about it if your child exhibits normal thumb-sucking behavior. This behavior doesn’t affect a child’s oral health.

Unfortunately, not all babies exhibit normal thumb-sucking behavior. There are certain thumb-sucking behaviors that can impact your child’s oral health. Keep an eye out so you can determine if your child is a regular thumb sucker or if his or her oral health is in peril.

Normal Thumb-Sucking Behavior 

Babies have a natural urge to suck their thumbs. Babies often start this behavior when they are still inside of the womb. Those who suck their thumbs normally use a passive method of thumb-sucking, where the thumb rests gently in the mouth. This action soothes and relaxes them. They get a lot of comfort out of sucking their thumbs. 

While the urge for thumb-sucking dissipates around six months of age, it often doesn’t stop entirely until the child is between the ages of 2 and 4. Some children suck their thumbs past age 4, but the urge should continue to go down until he or she stops entirely.

What Should I Look Out For? 

More than likely, your child exhibits normal thumb-sucking behavior. Still, you need to watch for some signs just in case your child has some abnormal behaviors.

First, if your child has permanent teeth, he or she should not engage in any thumb-sucking. Thumb-sucking can cause the permanent teeth to move. Then, your child will have to go to an orthodontist to straighten the teeth back out.

You also need to pay attention to how your child sucks his or her thumb. While most kids use a passive method, some are aggressive. Placing pressure on their teeth and mouths during thumb-sucking can prevent proper mouth growth. Aggressive thumb-sucking also impacts the alignment of their teeth.

Finally, you should go with your gut. If you think that your child’s thumb-sucking is having an impact on his or her oral heath, trust your instincts. Make an appointment with Mint Dental, so we can assess the situation. 

Helping Your Child Stop Thumb-Sucking?

If your child has a poor thumb-sucking technique or permanent teeth, you will need to wean him or her off the habit. While it might seem impossible, you can do it with a good attitude and the right technique.

First, you need to think about your attitude regarding the process. Positive reinforcement is critical when weaning your child off thumb-sucking. Remember, your child sucks his or her thumb for comfort. If you punish your child, he or she will want to go back to thumb-sucking. Use praise instead of punishment during this process.

Once you have the right attitude, you’ll be ready to dive in. Your child is most likely to suck his or her thumb when falling to sleep, so make that impossible by using a Band-Aid or a sock. Place the Band-Aid or sock over your child’s thumb to remind him or her that thumb-sucking is now off limits.

Your child can’t wear something on his or her thumb all day long, so you will need to play an active role in the weaning process during the day. If you notice your child starting to suck his or her thumb, create a diversion. Also, work on alleviating anxiety. Children reach for their thumbs when they are anxious, so work on ways to make your child less anxious and more comfortable.

You also need to have a talk with your child, so he or she understands why you want to stop the thumb-sucking behavior. Explain how thumb-sucking can hurt his or her teeth. 

Finally, use a reward system to put an end to thumb-sucking. A simple chart is perfect for this. Make a chart and give your child a sticker every day he or she doesn’t suck his or her thumb. Give your child prizes when he or she meets specific goals.

With your help, your child can stop thumb-sucking. Combine your support with regular checkups from Mint Dental, so your child will have a healthy mouth.