Along with favorite blankets, teddy bears, and nap time, pacifiers and thumb-sucking can be one of the most comforting aspects of childhood. Sucking is a natural reflex that begins before birth. It provides a sense of security for a young child and is necessary for feeding in infancy. Between 70% to 90% of infants suck their thumbs, so chances are there’s a thumb-sucker (or a former thumb-sucker) in your family. Is this cause for worry?
In most cases, the answer is no. However, it’s important to pay attention to your child’s habits in case his or her behavior has the potential to affect overall oral health.
What is normal sucking behavior?
Most children stop thumb-sucking or using a pacifier on their own between the ages of two and four because the habit is no longer useful to them. But children can greatly benefit from dropping the habit before this age. At 12 months of age the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Academy of Pediatrics recommends transitioning away from bottles/nipples and introducing sippy cups or open-faced cups. This encourages growth and development of the mouth and jaws for a maturing diet that consists of water, whole milk, and solid foods.
While your child is transitioning in their feeding routine, it may be a great time to transition away from a pacifier or thumb-sucking. Breaking old habits and forming new ones requires positive reinforcement and a lot of patience! As children approach 18 months of age, their vocabulary, opinions, and emotions really begin to fluorish, often complicating efforts to change routines and habits. This can continue into age two and three years old.
Some children may not be ready to ditch the habit as early as 12 months old, and that's okay. But you can continue to monitor how often they are using a pacifier or sucking their fingers at home and watch for cues that they may be ready to quit.
What signs should I watch for?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, non-nutritive habits such as pacifiers and thumb-sucking can lead to changes in the mouth and jaws as early as age one (when the baby teeth start coming into the mouth).
Infants using pacifiers beyond six months of age are at increased risk for otitis media (ear infections). Children who suck their thumb or use a pacifier are also at increased risk of introducing germs into the mouth that can cause bacterial or viral illness, as well as oral thrush. Be sure you are keeping your child's pacifier clean and reinforce good hand hygiene from a young age.
If your child continues sucking beyond age three, it may be time to take action to break the habit. This will hopefully reduce the risk for significant orthodontic issues down the road. If your child sucks their fingers or thumb intensely or for long periods of time, placing pressure on the mouth or teeth, the habit may cause problems with tooth alignment, proper mouth growth, and face shape.
If at any time you suspect your child’s sucking habit may be affecting his or her oral health, please give us a call and schedule a visit. We can help you assess the situation.
How can I help my child quit thumb-sucking?
- Always be supportive and positive. Instead of punishing your child for thumb-sucking, give praise when he or she does not suck his thumb.
- Put a band-aid on your child’s thumb or a sock over the hand at night. Let your little one know that this is not a punishment, but rather a way to help remember to avoid sucking. Thumb guards or elbow splints are useful reminder tools if the band-aid or sock is not helpful.
- Start a progress chart, providing a sticker for your child for each day that he or she doesn’t suck his thumb. If your child makes it through a week without sucking, he gets to choose a prize. When the whole month is full, reward your child with something great (a toy or new video game). Making your child an active participant in his or her treatment will increase the willingness to break the habit.
- If you notice your child sucking when he or she is anxious, work on alleviating the anxiety rather than focusing on the thumb-sucking.
- Take note of the times your child tends to suck (long car rides, while watching movies) and create diversions during these occasions.
- Explain clearly what might happen to the teeth if he or she keeps thumb-sucking.
- Once you find a system that is working, stick with it for four to six months to reduce the chances that your child regresses.
Whatever your method, always remember that your child needs your support and understanding during the process of breaking the habit of thumb-sucking.