At Advanced Dentistry of Long Island, we love kids! We know that one of the worries of parents is thumb sucking. That’s because a thumb sucking habit can have a negative impact on a child’s tooth development.

Thumb sucking, or the sucking of fingers, is normal behavior and often begins in the womb. Like using a pacifier, a thumb sucking habit is an activity that helps many children to relax.

However, when it continues for more than one or two years, thumb sucking can affect the alignment and overall development of your child’s teeth and jawbone. It can even change the shape of the roof of the mouth.

HOW TO STOP THUMB SUCKING HABITS

Curious to know how to stop thumb sucking? Most children naturally give up the thumb sucking habit between the ages of two and four. We recommend trying to discourage thumb sucking after the age of four.

Here are a few tips to help your child end a thumb sucking habit:

• Give praise when he or she is NOT sucking (instead of scolding him or her for doing it).
• Try to discover what may be causing insecurity and anxiety in your child.
• Reward your child for not thumb sucking during difficult times.

If you want help with how to stop a thumb sucking habit, please feel free to call us at 516-921-8010. We are here for you!