Conditions
Thumbsucking
Thumbsucking is such a common form of behaviour in young children that you might not think of it as a problem – and for lots of kids it isn’t. But if it’s particularly compulsive, or if as they grow older they just won’t stop, then it can be a cause for concern.
Babies can start sucking their thumbs while they are still in the womb, and most newborns will do it within the first few weeks of life. Thumbsucking is a form of stress relief: it comforts children when they are tired or anxious by helping the brain produce certain ‘satisfaction’ endorphins. There are lots of stories about the adverse effects of thumbsucking, but most of them are untrue. Thumbsucking won’t cause buck teeth in adulthood, since children start to lose their milk teeth at around six years anyway, and it’s unlikely that the thumb itself will be damaged or deformed, though the skin can become sore for a while. You can of course give babies a dummy to suck during their first year, which quietens them when they feel anxious or insecure, and which will go some way to stopping them from developing the thumbsucking habit.
Most kids will naturally stop sucking their thumbs by the time they are two or three, but a significant number don’t. This is the point at which it can become more of an issue. Since you can’t take kids’ thumbs away from them, how do you stop them sucking once they get older?
Avoid threats or telling them off, which tend not to be effective. Instead, just gently ask them not to do it, and offer little rewards, praise and reassurance as their behaviour changes. For some kids it’ll be peer pressure which does the trick once they start spending more time with other kids at nursery or school. Either way, positive reinforcement of the behaviour you want should gradually wean them out of the habit.
For more information, see:
Thumb Guard UK
Comments and Questions
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My 8 year old sons adult teeth are starting to come through. Unfortnately the bottom front teeth seem to a dark green colour. He does suck his thumb and I wonder if this has any thing to do with it. I've also been giving him an omega suppliment and wonder is this might be the cause. He is not worried about thaem at the moment but I worry what colour the rest of his teeth will be?
im 26 and started to suck my thumb after becoming poorly at age 10. it was the only thing i had closest to me and made me feel better. i still do it now but only with family and close friends. i don't see any harm and its not hurting anybody plus my teeth are fine x
I am 22 and also have being sucking my thumb since I can remember I do it in front of friends family im not bothered I see it as if you dont like it lump it im not hurting anyone so why should I stop my dentist has never commented on my teeth and my finger is not deformed I just love doing it and will not give it up for anything.
hi my son is 4 and lost his first tooth...he does suck his thumb.is that normal
i have two children aged 5 and 3 and both suck their thumbs. i have been told off by my dentist on several occassions to get them to stop it or risk problems later on with their teeth, but my gp is not worried about it. have tried the thumb gaurd, they just pull it off with their teeth no matter how tight i put it on. my 5 yr old worse, and will answer you with thumb in. tried everything nothing works except keeping them occupied when at home as neither do it at school or nursery
I have a 3 yr old son who is a chronic thumb-sucker. It has totally disfigured his palate. Have decided to fork out £55 for a thumb guard. i will post results back here to let you all know if it's worth it...
I am 13 and i always suck my thumb but i have .earnt to control it at skool or on the bus but as soon as i get through the door i start sucking it has anyone got any ideas on how to stop?
i was 11 when i stop and im now 13 i did what you did and control it. i stop when we got a dog it makes you think what germs your putting in you mouth.
I'm almost 17 and I do it you and have done since before I was born, I've tried giving up but it failed but I'm not too worried about it.
Hi, I'm 13 and have been sucking my thumb since the day i can remember, when it's not in my mouth it's all i can think about. I also grind my teeth at night and I also sleep walk, sleep talk, and (if it exists) sleep kick/punch. But what troubles me most is sucking my thumb because i have just been to the orthadontist who has given me a whole treatment plan to make my teeth better, but obviously it can't happen until i stop, which should be next week. and yes i have tried the reward scheme, hot sauce scheme, nail varnish, and my best friend pulls it out every time she sees me do it. my other friends, classmates and teachers think its somehow 'cute' but it wont be in a few years when i have horrible teeth and a terrible habit. so pleassee help me!!
my daughter is 7 and she sucks her thumb she been doin this since she was 2 when she is tired her thumb goes straight in her mouth she also grinds her teeth when she sleeps dont no ifs its cause her thumb not in her mouth when she does it but its so annoyin
I am 15 i suck my thumb it is addictive i grind my teeth and i bite my nails but my nails are actually quite good i have been sucking my thumb since i was 4 so 11 years it is a comfort to me i do it when i am tired or nervous obviously if you suck your thumb at secondary school you will be made fun of no doubt about it life in secondary is hell i think you can agree so when i am at school i bite my nails i bite them a lot but they always grow back quickly i ,love my nails they are gorgeous of course i don't tell anyone whom i am not related to that i suck my thumb not even my boyfriend
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