What can be done at home to stop the thumb sucking habit

WHAT CAN BE DONE AT HOME TO STOP THE THUMB SUCKING HABIT

There is widespread agreement that you should take a positive approach with your child to help him/her overcome this habit because this will allow your child to build confidence and take pride in his/her accomplishment. A negative approach that involves criticism is unlikely to work and may even worsen the situation if your child seeks negative attention from re-engaging in this behavior. Even so, you should attempt to gently explain the consequences of this habit to your child. At the same time, here are some suggestions that you can implement on your own to help your child stop this activity:

• At Lee orthodontics office, we have found that your first option is painting or smearing a bad tasting substance such as Mavala on the thumb or finger (You can purchase it online/Amazon.com), because it will stop this behavior in most children very quickly.
• If you notice that your child is engaging in this activity because he/she is anxious, tired or hungry, then try to calm down and/or resolve the particular situation rather than focusing on the thumb or finger sucking behavior at that time.
• You should take note of the particular times that your child tends to engage in this activity such as during car rides or while watching television and then attempt to create distractions during this time.
• If the finger or thumb sucking habit occurs primarily when the child is engaged in a secondary habit, such as holding a security blanket or a favorite stuffed animal or twirling his/her hair, it is a very good idea to attempt to correct both habits at the same time. That is if you get control of the secondary habit, often the finger or thumb sucking habit disappears or is greatly reduced on its own.
• You can start a progress chart and have your child place a sticker on the chart for each day he/she is successful at avoiding this activity. Explain that if he/she goes for an extended period of time, such as a week, without engaging in this behavior that he/she will be able to choose a prize from a list that the two of you can create together.
• You can put a bandage around your child's thumb or finger or a sock around his/her hand at night. Alternatively, you can use an oversized long sleeve shirt or sweater that completely covers the hands. You should let him/her know that this is not a punishment, but rather it is a method for helping to remember to avoid this activity.

At lee orthodontics, we can fabricate an appliance help with thumbsucking and/or tongue thrust habit. If you would like a consultation, please contact Lee Orthodontics in Concord, CA. 

Author

David Lee Board Certified Orthodontist in Concord CA Metal Braces, Clear Braces, Self-ligating braces, Invisalign, Clear Aligners Serving San Francisco and East Bay area including Concord, Pleasant Hill, Bay Point, Clayton, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, Lafayette, Alamo, Benicia, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, San Ramon, Hercules, Berkeley, and Oakland.