Lots of babies and small children suck their thumb, finger or soother. They find it comforting, and satisfying.

Children will often stop sucking habits by themselves by 2 or 3 years old. Sometimes they need to be encouraged to stop, perhaps by allowing Santa or the tooth fairy to take the soother and leaving a present in return.

If a child still sucks their thumb by the time they start school, they will often stop (at least during the day) because they do not wish to appear ‘babyish’. Often night time sucking will continue for longer.

When the sucking habit stops by about age six or seven, it is unlikely that there will be permanent changes to the adult teeth.  However, if the thumb or soother sucking continues for longer, the teeth can be affected.

How does prolonged thumb sucking affect the teeth?

There is usually a vertical gap between the upper and lower front teeth which has a distinctive shape.

Sometimes the upper front teeth will stick out.

The upper jaw is narrow.

How can we help a child stop sucking?

Firstly the child must want to stop. The sucking habit may be a comforting behaviour and if the child still needs to suck from an emotional perspective, then forcing them to stop may be upsetting for them.  A parent will know when the child is ready.

Suggestions to help a child to stop thumb sucking

• Reward chart and encouragement
• A thin plaster on the thumb (or finger) is a good reminder for daytime (I recommend 1.25mm width paper dressing tape – it is thin, discrete and difficult for the child to remove)
• An oversized long-sleeved t shirt or old pyjama top for night-time wear.  The sleeves should reach to below the tips of the fingers.  If you sew the edges of the cuffs together the child cannot get the thumb in their mouth when they subconsciously try to thumbsuck while asleep.
• As a last resort an anti-thumb sucking device can be made by the orthodontist to fit the roof of the mouth.

If a baby or young child sucks their thumb or a soother, it is not a big deal.  Any changes to their teeth will self-correct if the sucking habit stops before 6 or 7yrs.  If the habit goes on longer, you may need to seek some help from your dentist or orthodontist.