It's absolutely adorable when your little one discovers their thumb and starts sucking. It's a natural and soothing habit and many kids do it up until age five. But if this continues into the toddler years, preschool, or even elementary school, it might become a concern.
Why? Well, thumb sucking can actually cause your child’s teeth to shift around. I know this firsthand because a family member of mine kept sucking his thumb into elementary school, and it led to some teeth misalignment, including a little overbite. He ended up needing quite a bit of orthodontic work to fix it, which can be pretty pricey.
Thumb sucking can also lead to a speech impediment, as well as skin problems and social issues. But don't worry, we've got some handy tips to help you and your little one kick the thumb-sucking habit!
Key Takeaways:
Most kiddos naturally stop thumb sucking. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children stop sucking their thumbs between the ages of two and four. It's a smart move to start gently guiding them away from the habit around 18 months. That's when little ones start forming habits and getting attached to comfort items. Why not encourage them to cuddle up with a special blanket or a favorite stuffed animal instead? It's always best to tackle these things early on!
Experts suggest that constantly reminding your child to stop thumb sucking might make it seem even more appealing to them. Instead, why not try to engage them in activities that require both hands? It might be a bit tricky and won't always work in every situation, but it's worth a shot! You could encourage them to play with toys that need two hands—having a variety of options can keep things fun and interesting.
Praise Them
Instead of scolding or punishing for thumb sucking, shower your little one with hugs, kisses, and lots of praise! You can also make a fun reward chart where they earn stickers for not sucking their thumb. At the end of the week, your child can choose a special toy or enjoy a fun outing as a treat!
Look for Sources of Stress
Sometimes, kids might turn to thumb sucking when they're feeling stressed, tired, or facing some developmental challenges. If your little one is still sucking their thumb as they get older, it might be a good idea to tweak their schedule a bit—maybe an earlier bedtime or fewer activities could help. And if they stop and then start again, it might be a sign they're feeling a bit anxious. It's always a good idea to chat with their pediatrician, who can guide you and even suggest a child psychologist if needed.
Try a Device
There are plenty of options out there to help your little one stop thumb sucking. You might consider the TGuard, or ThumbGuard, which is a handy removable device. There are also orthodontic gadgets like habit retainers, thumb cribs, bluegrass appliances, and rake appliances. Another option is an intraoral crib, which uses metal rings or bars behind the upper front teeth. Plus, there's the AeroThumb, made from medical-grade plastic, boasting a success rate of over 95%.
You might also consider trying plastic covers or special bitter-tasting solutions on your child's thumb to help them kick the thumb-sucking habit. Just make sure to have a quick chat with your doctor to ensure they're safe. These tricks might do the job, or they might not, but they could be worth a try if other ideas aren't working.
Of course, improving your kids' oral health should be a priority. These are all good strategies for thumb sucking, but at the end of the day, none may work. There are lots of things to sweat when you have kids. Thumb sucking will likely subside in time when your child is ready!
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