Thumb sucking is a reflex for roughly 95% of babies. When a child is still sucking their thumb or fingers when they are two years old, however, it has become a habit. Since continued thumb and finger sucking can potentially lead to dental and other health issues, it’s important for parents to learn how to stop this behavior.

A Brief Overview of Thumb Sucking Behavior

Some children will stop sucking their thumb on their own with little or no intervention. Approximately ten percent will continue to suck their thumbs when they are two or three years of age. After they’ve turned four or five, roughly five percent of children will still suck their thumbs. Without intervention, there is a small percentage of children that will continue to suck their thumbs well into first grade.

The Best Time to Discourage Thumb Sucking

The American Dental Association reports that the best time to begin discouraging children from sucking their thumbs is four years of age. One of the primary reasons for this is because it can potentially lead to under or overbites. With the benefit of early intervention, it’s important to note that more than 75% of these cases can be addressed.

Another reason to address this behavior is because it can lead to speech impairments. By the time they’re in the first grade, about five percent of children will have some type of recognizable speech disorder. This is sometimes attributed to under and overbites.

Another important reason to discourage thumb sucking is due to ingesting bacteria. Even when children do wash their hands and brush their teeth on a regular basis, they may still be at risk. Since children often play together, including outdoors, they may catch colds and other common illnesses easier when they suck their thumbs. Then there’s the matter of different types of bacteria present within the outdoor environment, such as on play equipment.

How to Stop Finger Sucking

While some children will suck on their fingers, others seem to prefer to suck their thumb. An effective way to help children break this habit is to use a thumb sucking appliance. TGuards, for example, have demonstrated their effectiveness in a large percentage of cases. Recent data, for instance, indicates that when children use TGuards, they have proven to be 90% effective in breaking this habit.

Learn More About Thumb and Finger Sucking Appliances

Since you want to learn how to stop finger sucking, it’s important to consultant with your child’s dentist. In addition to TGuards, they may also provide you with information on other thumb sucking preventative measures and remedies. While it may take some time for your child to learn how to stop finger sucking, It’s important to provide them with encouragement and praise as they progress toward breaking this habit.