Thumb sucking is a natural instinct - often seen in ultrasounds before birth! But if it continues after permanent teeth come in, serious dental problems can occur. If you’re looking to break the habit, we’ve seen success with the below tips and tricks - which if any have worked for you?
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| Photo via Flickr |
Reward for Positive Behavior
Avoid nagging or shaming your child and instead focus on the positive! Perhaps they go a full car ride without thumb sucking, reward them with something small for their good behavior.
Figure Out the Trigger
Try and identify which situations set off your child’s thumb sucking - are they anxious? tired? bored? Eliminate as many triggers as possible to ward off the thumb sucking habit.
Keeping Thumbs Busy
The moment you see your child’s hands venturing to their mouth, distract them with a hands-on activity or give them something to hold in both hands.
Talk with Your Child
Try talking to your child about why it’s important to stop thumb sucking(not just because you say so) and even ask what can help them. Maybe a new stuffed animal or blanket at bedtime could occupy their hands and make them feel comfortable.
If you have any tips and tricks of your own, share them with us on our Facebook page!
If you have any questions about how to improve your child's oral health please give our offices a call. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.
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