Thumb sucking is when a child suck their thumb, finger or dummy during day or/and night. 

Causes: 

It provides security and comfort to the child and it is a learned behavior which persists after bottle or breast feeding. 

Effects: 

If a child sucks their thumb or finger for more than 6 hours a day, it may cause problems to their teeth as following: 

• A vertical gap can develop in between top and bottom front teeth 
• Teeth may stick out 
• Upper jaw may become narrow due to the pressure from sucking 

What can you do to help your child to stop thumb sucking habit? 

• Encourage your child to stop the habit. Positive motivation is important. 
• Praise your child for not sucking their thumb. 
• Avoid nagging or punishing. Be positive and supportive. It will help to build up their self-esteem. 
• Use a plaster, bandage, nail varnish or bitter tasting paint on their thumb as reminder to stop sucking their thumb. 

What can a dentist do to help your child to stop the habit? 

A dentist or orthodontist can prescribe thumb habit breaker device to be worn to make the thumb sucking habit difficult for the child. 

What happened to the teeth when the habit stops? 

The earlier the habit stops, the better the teeth will develop. If the habit continues after 7 years old, it is unlikely that the teeth will correct itself and braces treatment may be needed in future to correct the position of the teeth. However, braces treatment cannot be commence until the habit stop completely because treatment will be unsuccessful.