Thumb-Sucking In School Aged Children
In the earlier months of life, a dependency on sucking is common as the baby has an innate instinct to suck so he/she can feed. The repetitive motion of the mouth provides a sense of calming. Thumb sucking or using a pacifier helps the child with self-control and self-soothing.
Dentists strongly encourage parents to help their 5 to 10 year-old child to stop sucking their thumb. A Finger-sucking habit might affect the teeth positioning as the permanent teeth start erupting during those years. When teeth are crowded, crooked, or out of alignment, called malocclusions, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Many of these older children suck their thumb only for comfort, at bedtime, during transitions, or stressful times. There is no physical evidence that minor thumb sucking is harmful to tooth growth, as the alignment has to do with the child's genetics or the size of their jaw. On the other hand, tongue thrusting seems to affect tooth alignment. This movement of the tongue pushes consistently on the upper palate. This usually does not occur during finger sucking.
Socially, finger sucking will be a burden for the older child. He will notice how other children do not suck their thumbs and could affect his self-esteem. He will soon learn that it is not socially acceptable which might help out in decreasing finger sucking until he is ready to stop. Sometimes the child experiences separation anxiety when away from parents. In this case, spending a little more time with the child and reviewing the daily routine with him every morning, might help relieve the anxiety.
Eventually, the older child will stop sucking her fingers. It should not become a battle of wills. Instead, allow the child to choose when she is ready to stop.
Now, if the child is a chronic thumb sucker (all of the time), then there are other ideas to guide parents with ways to help stop this habit. I looked up recent articles, spoke with a language therapist, consulted Douglas County Child Find, and gathered general tips to get you started:
Start Early
- During 12 to 24 months of age, a gentle tap on the hand, without saying much, might just remind them not to do that. Plus, at these ages, they still tend to put things in their mouth.
- During preschool age, introduce to them a chewable toy that is safe instead of their finger. Every time you see them sucking their finger, gently talk about chewing the toy instead. Eventually, they will replace the sucking habit with a different one.
- If you have a 3 or 4 year-old, start talking with her about her fingers and how bad they taste. Dr. Kimberly Loos, a dentist who practices in San Jose, CA (http://www.parentsoup.com/), suggests that naming the thumb "Mr. Thumb" and forming an alliance against it may be helpful.
- There is a nail polish that you can put on his nails so when he places his thumb in his mouth it will taste very bitter. Ask for it at a pharmacy.
Reward Program (5-9 year-olds)
- Start a reward program for the older child. It could be a game. For every night without sucking her thumb, she gets a sticker. When she fills up the card with stickers, then she gets a surprise or a trip to McDonalds. Use a reinforcement that you know will work with your child.
Remove the Pleasure of Sucking
- Place a Band-Aid over the fingers.
- Place a cotton glove on the hand.
Other Suggestions
- Let the child's dentist talk to her about giving up finger sucking.
- Exchange thumb sucking with another habit. Find a special toy that they can sleep with. Some examples are a ball that they can squeeze, dolly, stuffed animal, blanket to suck, rock side-to-side on the bed, or a tipsy-cup with water for the night. It is easier for the older child to replace one habit with another habit.
- Dentists have orthodontic appliances that can serve as a reminder to stop sucking. Ask your dentist.