by Myrna Beth Haskell

It’s not uncommon to see a toddler with her thumb in her mouth. However, once a child reaches school age, society expects that she no longer sucks her thumb. When this isn’t the case, social consequences and dental concerns arise.

For the child who continues to suck her thumb, the habit has become a crutch, not a reflex. At this point in a child’s development, breaking the habit will take patience, understanding, and a joint effort by both the child and her parents.

Why Do Children Suck Their Thumbs?
Thumbsucking is quite common in infancy. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), “Children suck on things because sucking is one of baby’s natural reflexes.” It may make them feel secure and happy, and sucking on their thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, or other objects helps them learn about their world.

However, for older children, thumbsucking is not a simple reflex. Older children might suck their thumbs to relieve boredom or tension. They might suck their thumbs because of insecurity issues. Some older children might only suck their thumbs in order to soothe themselves while falling asleep or when they are not feeling well. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, school-age children who continue thumbsucking, “might still use sucking as a way of going to sleep or calming themselves when they are upset. This is usually done in private.”

When Does Thumbsucking Become Problematic?
Dr. Julie Speights, a dentist with Bright Smile Family Dentistry in Edmond, says, “Once the child is four years and older, the thumbsucking has become a habit [as opposed to a reflex] and is much harder to correct.”

When thumbsucking continues into the school years, sucking may cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and alignment of the teeth. The ADA specifies, “When permanent teeth start to come in, thumbsucking could prevent proper spacing and tooth alignment. In severe cases, it can even change the formation of the roof of the mouth.” Dr. Speights explains that “frequency, intensity, and duration” each have an effect on whether or not a child will have severe dental problems due to thumbsucking.

Although most school-age children who suck their thumbs do so in private, a small percentage of children continue thumbsucking during the day. For a school-age child, the social ramifications can be devastating. The ADA warns, “Chronic thumbsucking in school-age children may reduce peer social acceptance, an important contributor to social development.”

Helping Your Older Child Kick the Habit
“If parents nag, the thumbsucking can become a bigger problem,” warns Dr. Speights. She says that parents can try different things to help their child quit, such as finding something else for their child to do (if she sucks her thumb when she is bored, for instance). However, older children need to be emotionally ready to quit.

In their book, Good Behavior, Stephen Garber, Ph.D., Marianne Garber, Ph.D., and Robyn Spizman suggest that parents chart their child’s behavior and offer rewards for success, saying, “A reward chart increases the chances that a child will practice a new behavior.”

If the habit only occurs during sleep (when she is unaware), parents might consider a Thumb Guard™—an adjustable plastic cap that is secured to the thumb and is not easily removed. Dr. Speights uses an appliance that needs to be installed by a child’s dentist. The appliance makes it uncomfortable for the child to suck because it prevents the thumb from adhering to the roof of the mouth. “If it doesn’t feel good, the child won’t suck her thumb,” says Speights.

Most importantly, the older child must be part of the process. Dr. Speights insists, “They have to want to quit.” Habits are not broken by parents—they are broken because the child is convinced she wants to break the habit. The American Academy of Pediatrics explains, “Your child should be directly involved with the treatment chosen.” Experts suggest the following tips to help an older child break the habit:
* Don’t use harsh words or teasing—this will reinforce the habit.
* Praise her for not sucking her thumb.
* Involve her in choosing the method of stopping.
* Set up an incentive system to reward progress.
* Use a device, such as a Thumb Guard™—especially if the problem occurs at night while she sleeps.
* Ask your dentist to explain the effects of thumbsucking to your child.
* Find age-appropriate literature on the subject (see below).

When to See a Specialist
Most children will stop sucking their thumbs when they are ready. But if after many attempts at trying to kick the habit your child continues to suck her thumb, you may need to seek help from your child’s dentist or pediatrician. If you think your child’s thumbsucking is related to an emotional or psychological problem, talk to your child’s pediatrician about recommending a therapist.

Resources
Books for children ages 5 and up:

David Decides About Thumbsucking, by Susan Heitler, Ph.D.
My Thumb and I, Carol A. Mayer, Barbara E. Brown & Ashley C. Brown

Books for parents:
Helping the Thumbsucking Child, by Rosemary Van Norman
It Worked for Me! A book published by Parents Magazine
Your Child’s Health, by Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Learn more about the Thumb Guard™ at ThumbGuard.com, and consult your dentist before purchasing.

 

Myrna Beth Haskell is a freelance writer and mother of two. Her work has appeared in both national and regional publications.