This month, our monthly podcast is about thumb sucking. One
of the most common questions we receive from worried parents is “how can we get
our child to stop sucking their thumb?”
Thumb sucking can be a source of comfort and stress for children,
especially children younger than 5 years old. Thumb, finger sucking or using a pacifier,
teaches kids to self sooth, which is a developmental coping mechanism. Too long
of this habit, can impact the development of jaws and the palette.
More than ¾ of infants suck their thumb or fingers through
first year of life. Most experts agree that a thumb sucker younger than five
should not be pressured to stop. Most will stop before entering kindergarten,
however there is still a 1 in 5 chance that your child will still suck their
thumbs pass the age of five.
Usually kids stop between the age of 3 and 4.
“Because the thumb is in the palette, in can cause cross
bites. Larger spaces develop between the teeth.” – Dr. Hinesly
Before insisting the child quit cold turkey, its important
to observe how deeply entrenched the habit has become. How often and in front
of whom? If it happens only at bed time or in front of family
members, it is less serious, than if it is at school or in social situations.
What can parents do?
Contact our office for more advice or
questions, we have helped many families. Give us a call at
