Children should stop sucking their thumb or any pacifier before their permanent teeth are ready to come in. If your dentist has expressed concern that the thumb sucking will cause a problem with your child’s teeth, there are a few things you can do to help them stop. One is to address the root cause of the thumb sucking. Since children often suck their thumbs when they feel insecure or need comfort, helping them feel more secure or finding comfort in other ways can help replace the need for thumb sucking. You can also reward your child when they go for a certain amount of time without sucking their thumb. If the habit is subconscious, you may want to help your child remember not to suck their thumb by bandaging their thumb or using another reminder.
Please ask us at your next visit about suggestions and guidelines to help your child quit thumb sucking. Remember that your child needs your support and understanding during the process of breaking a thumb-sucking habit.