Thumb sucking is a common habit among young children. It’s a natural reflex that provides comfort and security, and in most cases, kids naturally outgrow this behavior. However, there comes a time when parents should intervene in their child’s thumb sucking habit. Explore why children suck their thumbs, the potential consequences of prolonged thumb sucking, and useful strategies to help a child break this habit.

When Do Children Start Sucking Their Thumbs?

Remarkably, thumb sucking can start even before a child is born. Ultrasound images have provided evidence of fetuses sucking a thumb within the womb. Once out in the world, if they haven’t already started, many infants immediately adopt this habit. The comfort and security thumb sucking provides has an instinctive appeal to infants, making thumb sucking common among newborns.

Why Do Babies Suck Their Thumbs?

Thumb sucking triggers a complex but fascinating neurological process. When a child sucks their thumb, it catalyzes the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. These chemicals, often termed “feel-good” neurotransmitters, interact with the neurons in the brain’s pleasure centers, creating a sense of tranquility and happiness.

This biochemical response is strikingly similar to the effects of certain addictive substances, which also stimulate the production of neurotransmitters that create a sensation of comfort, relief, and pleasure. As such, thumb sucking can become a kind of addictive behavior for some children, who continue to engage in it to re-create the pleasurable sensations it brings.

Most Kids Stop on Their Own

Before you panic about addictive thumb sucking, remember that most children will stop thumb sucking on their own, often between the ages of two and four. The process is usually gradual and coincides with other developmental milestones. The brain’s neuroplasticity enables children to form new habits and drop old ones as they grow and mature.

This self-cessation indicates that, in many cases, the best strategy for parents may be to simply ignore the behavior. However, this strategy is only effective up to a point: if the thumb sucking habit is persistent, forceful, and extends beyond the age of four, it can begin to impact a child’s oral health or social interactions, it may be time to intervene with more direct strategies.

The Potential Consequences of Prolonged Thumb Sucking

Prolonged thumb sucking may cause malocclusion of the teeth. This term refers to a misalignment between the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed. Sustained pressure from thumb sucking can cause the front teeth to move forward, leading to an overbite or open bite where the teeth do not meet correctly. This malocclusion can affect a child’s ability to bite, chew, and even speak clearly.

Thumb sucking can even cause jaw deformation. The thumb’s constant presence and pressure can interfere with the natural growth and shaping of the jawbone, causing it to become misshaped or skewed. This irregularity can lead to an asymmetrical face and may require orthodontic intervention.

Facial irregularities could result from persistent thumb sucking. In addition to and related to the impact on the teeth and jaw, aggressive thumb sucking can cause changes to the cheekbones and muscles around the mouth, leading to an elongated, distorted facial shape, sometimes referred to as a sleepy or flattened appearance. These jaw and facial distortions can include a narrowing of the sinuses and cramped space for the tongues, which can lead to breathing problems (mouth breathing, sleep apnea).

Blisters and callouses are other potential consequences of thumb sucking. The constant friction and moisture from thumb sucking can result in the skin on the thumb becoming thick and hardened, leading to painful blisters and callouses. These can be uncomfortable and at times may even become infected.

Prolonged thumb sucking can lead to speech impediments. The constant placement of the thumb in the mouth can affect the development of the tongue’s movement and the placement of the teeth, leading to difficulties with pronunciation. This can result in challenges with articulating words correctly and may cause lisping or other speech difficulties.

Finally, the social consequences of persistent thumb sucking should not be overlooked. Bullying by peers can occur if a child continues to suck their thumb past the age at which it is generally considered acceptable. This can lead to feelings of embarrassment, low self-esteem, and social isolation.

When To Intervene To Break the Habit

The onset of permanent teeth, the start of school, or the continuation of thumb sucking beyond the age of four are all critical markers indicating that it may be time to intervene. When permanent teeth begin to emerge, persistent thumb sucking can disrupt their proper alignment and even influence the shape of the oral cavity.

Similarly, starting school signifies a social transition, where thumb sucking may be viewed negatively by peers, potentially leading to bullying and emotional distress. Should the habit persist beyond the age of four, despite these indicators, it becomes increasingly important to formulate and implement strategies to help the child break this behavior.

Strategies To Help a Child Stop Thumb Sucking

There are many tactics parents can use to encourage a child to break the thumb sucking habit. Punishment and scolding, however, are not among them. Instead, try the following approaches:

Praise and Positive Reinforcement

One effective way to help a child stop sucking their thumb is through praise and positive reinforcement. Whenever you notice your child isn’t engaging in the habit, especially during a time when they usually would, offer praise and positive feedback. Celebrate their success and make them feel proud. This encourages continued positive behavior and strengthens the child’s motivation to quit. Remember, negative reinforcement or punishment rarely works and can often exacerbate the issue.

Substituting a Different Comfort Item

Substituting a comfort item to take the place of the thumb is another useful technique. This can be a soft toy, a blanket, or any item that your child finds soothing. The idea is to replace the comfort derived from thumb sucking with a less harmful comfort object. The transition should be done gradually, helping the child to associate the comfort item with the soothing feeling they used to get from thumb sucking.

Offering Activities That Occupy the Hands

Keeping your child’s hands busy can also prevent them from thumb sucking. Engage your child in activities that require the use of both hands such as painting, playing with building blocks or play clay, or crafting. The goal is not only to keep their hands occupied but also to distract them from the urge to suck their thumb.

Using a Thumb Sucking Prevention Device

Another effective approach to curb thumb sucking is the use of a thumb sucking glove like the T-Guard AeroThumb. Made from medical-grade plastic, the AeroThumb fits over the child’s thumb and is fastened with a lockable strap to prevent removal. The apparatus works by breaking the suction created when a child sucks their thumb, which in turn removes the comfort the child derives from the action. After continuous use, your child’s dependency on thumb sucking will diminish, and eventually the habit will be eliminated.

Knowing when to intervene to break a child’s thumb sucking habit takes careful observation and patience. When thumb sucking persists after age three or four, is forceful, or is causing noticeable changes in teeth, breathing, or speech, immediate intervention is appropriate. Consult your pediatrician and your pediatric dentist for advice on what steps to take to minimize adverse consequences. The T-Guard AeroThumb may be the solution you seek. With the right approach and tools like the AeroThumb, your child can overcome thumb sucking in a positive and stress-free way.