Thumb or finger sucking is a common childhood habit. It usually begins in early infancy when a baby takes comfort in sucking. The habit may persist in young childhood, when it is relatively harmless and most children grow out of it quite naturally. However, if your child continues sucking after age four or five, the finger or thumb may begin to push on the permanent teeth as they erupt into the mouth.

This changes the position of the teeth and may result in a need for the child to wear braces later in childhood. It is common for the top front teeth to be pushed forward and for the bottom teeth to be pushed backward altering the child's appearance and causing problems with using the front teeth to bite.

This problem can only be corrected with braces, but the habit must be stopped before any orthodontic treatment can begin.

The longer the habit persists, the more pronounced the misalignment of the teeth can be. Therefore, children should be encouraged to stop sucking at a young age, before the permanent teeth erupt. An infant or a very young child may accept a pacifier instead. The pacifier is an easier habit to break at the appropriate age. However, a pacifier which is kept too long can cause damage similar to the finger or thumb.

Some children may start thumb sucking, or revert to it, later in childhood.

Usually this occurs in a new and strange environment or when other children are seen sucking. This should be discouraged, not tolerated, and the child should be reassured about any anxieties he or she may be having.

A child who is still sucking at five or six will probably need some help breaking the habit. Your dentist can offer advice on ways to do this. An explanation from the dentist may help the child understand why the habit should be stopped.

A reward system may help encourage the child to break this habit. Stars and prizes are given for a day, week or month without sucking. It is also possible to buy unpleasant tasting but harmless substances at the pharmacy, such as those used to stop nail biting, which can be painted on the thumb or finger as a reminder. If these methods fail, your dentist or orthodontist may be able to place a device on the teeth that will act as a reminder whenever the child places the finger or thumb in the mouth.

Success in giving up finger and thumb sucking is only achieved with the child's cooperation. Therefore, support and encouragement are needed from other family members. Threats, criticism and teasing will undermine the child's self esteem and usually make the habit worse.

Some children continue finger and thumb sucking into the adolescence and beyond. At this stage it is very important to involve your dentist and orthodontist. Adolescents are usually very conscious of their appearance and they are very sensitive to teasing by their peers. Parents and other family members must counteract this with support and encouragement that will lift self-esteem.

For further information on finger and thumb sucking, please contact your dentist or orthodontist.

Dr. Helen Christoper