Tips for Kicking Thumb Sucking to the Curb

Thumb sucking is not an unusual habit for babies, toddlers, and young children. In fact, according to the American Dental Association, children can begin their thumb sucking habits as early as in the womb --Woah!

And, children usually stop sucking their thumb on their own between ages 2 and 4. --Whew!

However, if continued, this habit can lead to many consequences including serious dental problems. Listed below are steps you can take to help your child kick thumb sucking to the curb!

Identify the Trigger

Children who suck their thumbs often do so when they’re feeling stressed, upset, hungry, or bored. Once you are able to identify which situations set off your child’s habit you can quickly intervene and slowly eliminate the triggers. 

Positive Reward System

During reading time, did your child keep their thumb out of their mouth? How about when they were playing at the park? Or running an errand with you? Don’t let the small things go unnoticed - a small reward can help the good habit become long-lasting! 

Show and Tell

(Open wide and say “cheeeese”) Compare your mouth with your child’s and point out the pretty smile they can get if they stop sucking their thumb. You can also show them pictures of their favorite cartoon or disney princess’ smiles.

Thumb Time Break

When you see your child is about to put their thumb in their mouth, distract them. Give them an indoor/outdoor activity or a stuffed animal to hold - anything to keep their hands busy!

Time to Talk

One of the best things you can do is speak to your child about why it is important to stop thumb sucking. Remind them you are there to help every step of the way!

Have any of these tips helped your child break their thumb sucking habits? Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter and let us know! 

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.

Thumb Sucking: Helping Your Child Break the Habit

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

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?

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.

Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers: Ages 3 - 6 Years Old

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental and Orthodontics

www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

By now, most children have all 20 baby teeth come in. During this time, some kids are still reliant on their pacifiers or sucking their thumbs, a habit that can be hard to break.

Sucking thumbs, pacifiers, other objects, are all natural for babies. Even young children may still turn to this habit when trying to soothe themselves. Usually thumb sucking stops between 2 - 4 years of age, or by the time the adult front teeth are ready to break through the gums. If it does not, the children run the risk of seriously altering their teeth alignment.

So how can you help your child break this habit? Check out these 3 tips, courtesy of 2min2x.org:

• Positive reinforcement - praise your kids for not sucking their thumbs, don't scold them for sucking
• Comfort your child - children often suck their thumbs when they feel insecure or need comfort. Work to find out what is making your child anxious and comfort them
• Involve your child - for the older kids, have them involved in the process of choosing how to stop. Your pediatric dentist can also offer encouragement to your kids and can explain what will happen if they don't stop sucking their thumbs

If the above tips don't work, remind your child of their habit by covering their thumb over night (try bandaging or placing a sock on their hand). You can also talk to your pediatric dentist for additional advice, perhaps a bitter tasting medicine to coat the thumb or the use of a night mouth guard.

Do you have any helpful tips for other parents looking to stop their child's thumb sucking? Share with us on our Facebook page!