Thumb sucking was a simple way for your child to relax while he or she was a baby, but now that he or she is older, it’s time to stop. Constant pressure on the teeth may cause them to modify their growth patterns, necessitating orthodontic treatment in the future.
Putting gloves on a child’s hands or slathering a foul-tasting substance on a child’s thumb is no longer recommended. Taking your child’s comfort object away can be harmful to her emotional well-being. Instead, teach her alternative coping strategies and try to persuade her to break the habit.
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 to her about why she shouldn’t. Rather than making a huge issue out of your child sucking her thumb, speak plainly about your concerns. Older youngsters may change their behavior after learning more about the consequences.
Increasing Public Awareness Raising
Thumb sucking is a widespread behavior among children. They are entirely oblivious to their actions. If you find your child sucking his thumb, ask 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.
Identify and Remove Your Triggers
Thumb sucking is a common activity that your child will exhibit from time to time. When she’s terrified or nervous, she’ll probably do something like that. It’s possible she’s just tired or bored. You can help her stop sucking her thumb by removing 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 a variety of possibilities.
Children employ thumb sucking as a coping method. Rather of getting rid of their old strategies, teach them new ones. If your youngster just sucks his thumb at night, a teddy bear can be a great alternative. When he’s shy, show him how to take deep breaths or pinch his thumb instead of sucking it. Simple adjustments can make a big difference.
It Is Appropriate To Reward Your Child
When she stops sucking her thumb, tell her she’s maturing. Compliment her when you see she isn’t sucking her thumb at a time when she usually does. Use a sticker chart or another reward mechanism to get her excited about giving it up.
Instill proper oral habits in your child from the start.