CONSULATE
Consulate Dental Plans – Tips on Breaking Thumb and or Finger Sucking Habit
Most all babies will suck their thumbs/fingers this is normal. However, by the time teeth start to come in you should ween your child from this habit since thumb sucking can cause permanent teeth to be damaged due to being moved out of natural alignment and spacing. Here are some tips that may help your break your toddlers from thumb sucking.
1) Toddlers will sometimes suck their thumbs for comfort. The sucking sensation provides them with a sense of comfort and safety. You can remove this bad habit by offering different comforts to the child.
2) Toddlers/young children will sometimes suck their thumbs out of boredom. You can help with breaking thumb sucking out of boredom by giving the child something to do. Try to pick an activity that will use the child’s hands.
3) Ween your child by enforcing thumb sucking limits. We all know habits can be hard to do all at once. Slowly cut down on how much your child thumb suck each day.
4) Give an alternative. Like adults, kids find it hard to break habits if they do not have an alternative way of coping. Consider letting your child have a toy or stuff animal.
5) Point out the habit. Not all kids are even aware that they are thumb sucking, especially when they are bored or tired. So when you see your child thumb sucking simply request that they stop.