Children have a natural urge to suck. This urge usually decreases after the age of 6 months. But many babies continue to suck their thumbs to soothe themselves. Thumb-sucking can become a habit in babies and young children who use it to comfort themselves when they feel hungry, afraid, restless, quiet, sleepy, or bored.
Children who suck their thumbs often or with great intensity around age 4 or 5, or those who are still sucking their thumbs at age 6, are at risk for dental or speech problems.
That’s because thumb sucking can affect the roof of the mouth (palate) and how the teeth will be arranged. If your child is a vigorous thumb sucker, it can cause problems with the arrangement of their teeth.
Simple home treatment measures stop most children from sucking their thumbs. But if your child has a sucking habit around age 4 or older, schedule a visit with your child’s dentist.
Putting gloves on your child’s hands or wrapping the thumb with an adhesive bandage or a cloth may help remind your child not to suck the thumb.
Offering praise, positive attention, and rewards for not thumb-sucking may also help your child break the habit. For example, put stickers on a calendar each day that your child doesn’t suck his or her thumb. After an agreed-upon number of days, have a celebration for your child.
Don’t shame or punish your child for thumb-sucking. This will only lower your child’s self-esteem.
Other treatment options, such as behavioral therapy, thumb devices, or devices for the mouth are available, ensure you visit your dentist. But remember that thumb-sucking usually isn’t a problem in children at preschool age or younger. Most children will stop on their own if you give them time.
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