What's the best way to stop thumb sucking?

Question

My child has developed a thumbsucking habit and I wish to stop it before she damages her teeth!

Answer 1

Consistent, habitual thumb sucking can cause an anterior open bite. (where there is a vertical gap between the upper and lower teeth). The lower teeth can be pushed backwards and the uppers forwards.

This is not too much of a problem in the baby teeth (up to age 5). However, the permanent incisors begin to erupt about age 6 and so ideally the habit should be stopped before then.

You can get orthodontic appliances which can help children from sucking thumbs, but best not make too much of an issue about it - worse case scenario - the child will need braces, that's all.

Answer 2

I believe that is a wives tale. If a child were able to damage their teeth from thumb sucking then they would also do the same from a pacifier and bottle.



I sucked my thumb until I was 8 (very insecure child) and I never needed braces. Neither of my siblings sucked their thumbs and they both had to have braces.

Answer 3

All potty training, thumb sucking, bottle training needs to wait until the CHILD decides to do it themselves.. yes you can encourage etc.. but after they 'won't' then 'stop' nagging them.. they really do need to 'find their own way'.. it's part of their development and 'learning they have some control' in their lives.. yep even at that age. When not 'pushed' most experts found the kids did it faster! When parents push and all, they are not as successful - especially in potty training. Leave your child alone, she needs her thumb right now, and even if you don't understand why, she's normal and fine!

Answer 4

Leave the child alone. Don't make an issue out of it. The child will quit when ready to.My parents tried everything to break my brother from sucking his thumb(hot pepper/sauce, covering his hands, polish, EVERYTHING) but when they finally gave up, he quit on his own. He was in 2rd grade by then. His teeth are fine.

Good luck:)

Answer 5

Will not damage teeth!!! Most psychologists say leave the child be. They will outgrow. Experts seem to think it's like a security blanket.

Answer 6

don't worry there is no threat to your child's teeth but to his/her health in thumb sucking. anyway, you can stop it by giving him/her something similar to his/her thumb made of soft rubber to hold. he/she will will have no threat to either (teeth or health) provided it is made of harmless chemicals, clean and really soft.

Answer 7

Put hot sauce on both thumbs.

Answer 8

Put red chillie powder on her thumb. It worked with my sister.

Answer 9

Put that icky nail polish for stop biting nails it works

Answer 10

Keep it on. if you change the object of sucking,it will hurt and fill your mouth.

Answer 11

cut em off

Answer 12

i have no clue