Does Your Child Suck Their Thumb? When and How to Get Them to Stop

Thumb sucking is pretty typical for babies and toddlers. Nine out of 10 kids between two and four suck their thumbs. They usually do it out of boredom, hunger, or stress. Most kids stop well before preschool and kindergarten. Fortunately, this habit doesn’t negatively affect children’s teeth until age five or six.

If your child sucks their thumb, you might be wondering when this behavior becomes harmful or how to get them to stop. Here are the facts about thumb sucking, when this habit becomes detrimental, and what you can do about it.

Is Thumb Sucking OK for a Child?

Thumb sucking is normal and perfectly acceptable at a young age. The American Dental Association (ADA) claims that thumb sucking is a natural reflex for babies, even those still in the womb. Thumb sucking can give a baby comfort, happiness, and security.

However, the ADA discourages thumb sucking after age four. Around this time, your child’s jaw and teeth start developing. Vigorous sucking can interrupt the healthy growth of the palate.

When permanent teeth begin to emerge, continued thumb sucking and pacifier use can contribute to misalignment of the teeth, affect mouth development, and cause changes in the roof of the mouth. The amount of impact often depends on the aggressiveness of the thumb sucking, even among children who still have their baby teeth.

Beyond the age of five or six, thumb sucking can cause the front teeth to jut out, causing an open bite where the child’s front and bottom teeth don’t touch. It can even affect the skeletal structure and appearance of teeth in adulthood, possibly requiring cosmetic dental care from a local provider.

How to Discourage Thumb Sucking

Most kids eventually grow out of the habit. If your child is still engaging in this behavior, you might find that the best strategy is to ignore it. Older kids might eventually cease if they don’t see other children doing it. However, if thumb or finger sucking hasn’t stopped by kindergarten, it’s time to step in.

You can start early with infants by offering them a pacifier. If they get attached to a pacifier early enough, it’ll be easier to take it away later.

If an older child continues to suck their thumb. Refrain from criticizing and instead use positive encouragement, especially if the thumb sucking becomes less frequent. Reward their behavior when they stop entirely or reach a goal while trying to break the habit. Here are some additional tactics to try:

• Give them comfort when they’re feeling insecure or stressed.
• Put an adhesive bandage on the thumb as a reminder, perhaps one decorated with a favorite character or color.
• Give them a pillow or stuffed animal to squeeze.
• Encourage them to set a goal to see how long they can go without sucking their thumb. Reward the if they reach the goal.

Help Your Child Break the Thumb Sucking Habit

The longer a child sucks their thumb, the harder it is to break the habit. But your local dental provider at Beckham Square Family Dental is there to help. You can ask your regular dentist or hygienist to talk to your child or offer suggestions to help them transition out of this habit. You can also contact us for stress-free checkups and cleanings, restorative care, and cosmetic procedures to keep you and your family looking and feeling your best.