4 Effective Ways to Help Your Child Stop Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a common habit for children, and it can be difficult to break. Some kids suck their thumbs to calm down or fall asleep, while others do it out of habit. Thumb sucking can cause problems with your child’s teeth and mouth if it continues for too long, so it is important to stop the habit early. In this blog post, we will discuss four effective ways to help your child stop sucking their thumb!

Why do some children suck their thumbs?

Babies have natural rooting and sucking reflexes, which can cause them to put their thumbs or fingers into their mouths — sometimes even before birth. 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.

How long does it sucking usually last?

Many children stop sucking their thumbs on their own, often by age 6 or 7 months or between ages 2 and 4. However, Mayo Clinic explains that even a child who’s stopped sucking his or her thumb might go back to the behavior during times of stress.

The Effects on Dental Health

Persistent, vigorous thumb sucking can sometimes cause misalignment of your child’s permanent teeth and affect the jaw or the shape and roof of the mouth. It may also expose your child to dirt, bacteria, and viruses. Vigorous thumb sucking can have many effects on the teeth and mouth. That’s because of the repetitive pressure the thumb and sucking places on the teeth, jawbone, and roof of the mouth. Healthline explains that it may cause any of the following:

• overbite, where the front teeth protrude out from the jaw and mouth
• other bite issues, such as the bottom teeth tipping inward toward the back of the mouth or an open bite, where the top and bottom teeth don’t meet when the mouth is closed
• changes to the shape of the jaw, which can also affect the alignment of the teeth and speech patterns, such as the development of a lisp
• sensitivity of the roof of the mouth

Most of these issues resolve or won’t develop at all if thumb sucking drops off by the time the permanent teeth are in. Children who do this for a long time and continue doing it vigorously may be at increased risk for these side effects.

4 Effective Ways to Help Your Child Stop Thumb Sucking

1. Use Positive Reinforcement

A great way to break your child’s habit is through positive reinforcement. Praise them for not doing it and reward them with something special when they do well. This can be anything from a small treat to extra time playing with their favorite toy.

2. Provide Distractions

Another way to help your child break their habit is by providing them with other activities and distractions. If they start to suck their thumb, offer something else for them to do such as playing a game or reading a book.

3. Talk About It

Have an open conversation with your child about why it is important to stop sucking their thumb. Explain the potential problems it can cause and encourage them to try other ways of calming themselves down or going to sleep.

4. Get Professional Help

If your child’s habit persists despite your best efforts, it may be time to seek professional help. At Li’l Sunshine Smiles, we can provide additional strategies and support to help your child overcome the habit.

Make an Appointment with Li’l Sunshine Smiles

Thumb-sucking is a common habit, but it’s important to help your child stop before it can cause any lasting damage. With patience and guidance, you can work together with your child on breaking this habit. Remember that getting professional help may be necessary in some cases.  If you are looking for ways to help your child stop thumb sucking, please contact Li’l Sunshine Smiles for more information and professional resources. We are here to help!