Thumb sucking is not bad for infants, however, it can become an issue if the child is still sucking their thumb once their permanent teeth begin coming in. If they are sucking their thumb beyond the age of 5 or when you notice permanent teeth developing, you may have to take measures to prevent them from continuing to suck their thumb. Your child’s teeth can become misaligned, causing an overbite. This will depend largely on how long, how hard and how often they are sucking their thumb. As they begin to speak, this may affect their speech. Finally, the child’s jaws could also become misaligned, causing the top of their mouth to become malformed. Many North Royalton, OH children’s dentist will tell you the challenges a child will deal with, as they get older, from sucking their thumb or fingers, too long.
Ways to Stop Thumb Sucking
Again, thumb sucking, in itself, is not wrong. It provides a level of comfort to an infant. The only cause for concern is when it is still taking place once your child’s permanent teeth start coming in. Parents should understand that ultimately it would be up to the child when they will stop sucking their thumb. Parents can only aid them in doing so. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is to offer the child encouragement and incentive. When you notice them avoiding sucking their thumb, praise them for doing so. It is often helpful to reward them for time they have not engaged in the habit. Depending on the age of the child, you may need to change the amount of time they should not suck their thumb, before they are rewarded. Smaller children will require more incentive as it may be a bit more challenging to get them to stop. Some parents find it helpful to put something on the child’s finger, such as a band-aid, to remind them to stop.
Stopping Thumb Sucking in Older Children
Older children will require a slightly different approach. It may be necessary for you to figure out why your child is doing it. It is usually due to some type of stress. Once you have identified the stress factors, and eliminate them, the child will typically stop. A children’s dentist in North Royalton, OH will be able to offer additional suggestions, which have proven effective.
It is helpful for first time parents to consult with a children’s dentist in North Royalton, OH, at the office of Dr. Coloma, about how they can help their child stop sucking their thumb.
