When your child was a baby, thumb sucking was a convenient way for him or her to relax, but now that he or she is older, it’s time to break the practice. Constant pressure on the teeth can lead them to shift their growth patterns, resulting in a future orthodontics expenditure.
Surprisingly, putting gloves on a child’s hands or slathering a foul-tasting material on the child’s thumb is no longer advised. Taking away your child’s comfort object can be detrimental to her emotional health. Instead, educate her other coping methods and try to encourage her to break the habit.
Start a Discussion
If your child is old enough for you to be concerned about thumb sucking’s impact on her teeth, you can discuss why she shouldn’t do it. Rather than making a big deal out of your youngster sucking her thumb, explain your concerns in simple words. After understanding more about the repercussions, older children may alter their behavior.
Awareness Raising
Thumb sucking is a widespread behavior among children. They are completely unaware of what they are doing. Inquire if your youngster is aware of what he is doing if you notice him sucking his thumb. Your youngster may be able to manage the propensity as he gets more aware of it.
Recognize and Eliminate their Triggers
Thumb sucking is a behavior that your child is likely to engage in from time to time. That’s most likely what she does when she’s scared or nervous. It’s possible that she’s simply weary or bored. By eliminating these triggers ahead of time, you can assist her quit sucking her thumb. If she’s always sucking her thumb while watching TV, for example, you may give her a little toy to fidget with.
Allow for different options.
Thumb sucking is a coping mechanism used by children. Rather of removing their old tactics, teach them new ones. A teddy bear can be an excellent solution if your child only sucks his thumb at sleep. Show him how to take deep breaths or pinch his thumb instead of sucking it when he’s shy. Simple modifications can have a significant impact.
Rewarding Your Child Is Appropriate
Tell her that she is maturing when she stops sucking her thumb. When you see she isn’t sucking her thumb at a time when she usually does, compliment her. To get her excited about giving it up, use a sticker chart or another reward tool.
From the outset, instill healthy oral habits in your child.