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Rewards help child stop sucking thumbDear Dr. Reitz: At what point in a child's life does thumb sucking cause a dental problem? My daughter's thumb sucking was cute when she was 2 months old, but no longer now that she is 6 years old. She rarely sucks her thumb in school, but every evening while watching television the thumb sucking resumes. I have tried both scolding and reasoning with her to stop, without any success. My husband is so frustrated he wants to apply a foul tasting medication to her thumb to discourage the habit. We are concerned that she is doing damage to her teeth. Is there a method that has been successful with other children that may work for us? - June Dear June: Thumb sucking is a natural reflex that usually starts in the womb. There is likely a genetic reason some children find sucking on a thumb or pacifier relaxing. Placing the thumb in the mouth gives some children a sense of security when they are frightened or in unfamiliar surroundings and can be soothing when they are tired. Your daughter likely sucks her thumb at night in an effort to relax before bed. Some children suck their thumbs with such intensity and so frequently that a callus forms on the thumb. Prolonged and intense thumb sucking can flare the upper primary front teeth by effecting the growth of the palate. Fortunately, if the habit stops before the permanent teeth erupt around the age of 6, the damage often is reversible. If you had substituted a pacifier for your daughter's thumb at an earlier age, it would be easier to wean her of the habit by limiting the availability of the pacifier. In my experience using your husband's idea of applying a foul tasting liquid to the offending thumb is not effective. For most children, peer pressure in school causes them to stop thumb sucking by the age of 6. Children your daughter's age are embarrassed by their habit and want to stop; they just need your support. Reward your daughter for not sucking her thumb and explain the damage she will do by continuing the habit. Your dentist can reinforce the need to stop before additional damage is done. If your daughter is receptive to stopping the habit but needs additional help, it is possible for your dentist to fabricate an appliance that is permanently attached to the upper teeth leaving no room for the thumb in the mouth. Making it difficult to suck her thumb is often all that is necessary to break the habit. This column is written by John Reitz, DDS, and does not represent the opinion of the Pennsylvania State Dental Board. Dr Reitz answers questions from readers. E-mail them via his Web site at reitzdds.com or mail to John Reitz, DDS, 30 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing PA 19610 John
V. Reitz, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Copyright
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