Should I care if my child sucks their thumb or finger?

Thumb sucking is one of the most common habits during childhood. Most children suck their thumb for safety even before birth. Roughly one out of every three children, ages 1 to 4, will suck his or her thumb at least sometimes. About one in five children will still be doing so at the age of 5 or older and may need guidance from parents because the chronic sucking habit can cause the child's permanent teeth to become crooked.

According to ADA, after the permanent teeth come in, thumb sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. It can also cause changes in the roof of the mouth. The intensity of the sucking is a factor that determines whether or not dental problems may result. If children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Some aggressive thumb-suckers may cause problems with their baby (primary) teeth.

When It Becomes A Problem

• Facial changes – if thumb-sucking persists, changes in the face may occur.
• Buck teeth - for example, the front teeth may be pushed out of alignment. This can alter the shape of the face and lead to an open/over bite.
• A lisp - pre-school children who suck their fingers and thumbs can push their teeth out of their normal position. This interferes with the correct formation of certain speech sounds.
• A child who is still sucking his thumb by age five, when permanent teeth start coming in, may develop an abnormal bite.
• The child may get teased by peers, when this happens it’s not uncommon for the child to have challenges with self-esteem.
• Prolonged thumb sucking can cause minor physical problems, such as chapped lips or cracked skin, calluses, or fingernail infections.
• Although thumb sucking is a normal habit it can cause serious teeth problems if it continues after teeth eruption.
• The problem gets serious if it continues after the age of four, when the permanent teeth are about to appear.
• In some cases thumb sucking is substituted by another dangerous habit as placing pencils between the teeth or biting the lips.
• If the child doesn't stop sucking their thumb in time, it is possible some teeth to get misplaced and require orthodontal treatment.

At age three, some children can comprehend a reward system and be motivated to stop sucking their thumb. If a child is four and is still sucking his thumb and is having difficulty stopping, parents ought to think about what they can do to help. Find out about your options, solutions and proven ways you can help your child stop sucking his thumb by visiting www.MySpecialShirt.com