Thumb sucking was an easy self-soothing tactic when your child was a baby, but now that he or she is older, it’s time to discontinue the habit. Constant pressure on the teeth may cause them to change their growth patterns, resulting in orthodontic treatment later on.

Surprisingly, the old advice of putting mittens on a child’s hands or slathering a foul-tasting substance on the child’s thumb is no longer recommended. Taking your child’s comfort object away from her can be harmful to her emotional well-being. Instead, try to persuade her to break the habit by teaching her new coping mechanisms.

Start a Conversation

If your child is old enough for you to be concerned about the effects of thumb sucking on her teeth, you can talk about why she shouldn’t do it. Instead of making a huge issue out of your child sucking her thumb, express your concerns in terms she can understand. Older youngsters may change their behavior after learning more about the consequences.

Increasing Public Awareness

Thumb sucking is a widespread behavior among children. They are entirely oblivious to what they are doing. When you find your child sucking his thumb, inquire if he is aware of what he is doing. As your child becomes more conscious of the tendency, he may be able to control it.

Recognize Your Triggers and Remove Them

Thumb sucking is something your kid is likely to do at times. That’s probable she does it when she’s frightened or nervous. It could just be that she is tired or bored. You can help her stop sucking her thumb by avoiding these triggers ahead of time. You may offer her a small toy to fidget with if she’s always sucking her thumb while watching TV, for example.

Allow for alternatives.

Children employ thumb sucking as a coping method. Instead of taking away their old techniques, teach them new ones. If your kid just sucks his thumb at night, a teddy bear can be a good option. When he’s shy, show him how to take deep breaths or pinch his thumb instead of sucking it. Simple adjustments can have a big impact.

It Is Appropriate to Reward Your Child

Tell her that not sucking her thumb is a sign that she is growing up. Compliment her when you see she didn’t suck her thumb at a time when she typically would. Use a sticker chart or another incentive tool to help her become excited about giving it up.

Instill good oral practices in your child from the start.