Category: Thumb Sucking

Most parents are anxious to help their children stop sucking their thumbs in order to prevent future dental problems. This is understandable, but it is important to remember that pushing too hard may cause your child to cling to thumb sucking more. Most children will stop thumb sucking on their own without adult intervention.  To…

When a child continues thumb sucking into their school-age years, long-term problems can occur. Thumb sucking (or using a pacifier) changes the way that a child’s teeth grow. The pressure from the thumb pushes the teeth to stick out. This affects a child’s entire mouth because the teeth no longer meet properly when the child…

Thumb sucking is a form of non-nutritive sucking, which refers to any sucking action that is not used to eat and drink. Babies and young children usually suck their thumbs as a way to soothe themselves and feel calmer. Non-nutritive sucking has even been found to provide pain relief during medical procedures.  This usually involves a…

Thumb sucking is a natural habit for babies and children to help them self-soothe and feel more secure. All babies are born with the reflex to suck because it is needed to eat and drink. Beyond nutrition, sucking provides a calming effect for babies and young children.  Most children stop sucking their thumb on their…