Thumb sucking.

Thumb sucking is the general practice associated with babies and young children who sucks their thumb for a prolonged duration. This is practiced as this has a soothing effect and is considered to be one of the natural reflexes of a new born. Thumb sucking can be initiated as early as 2-3 months of growth in the mother’s womb or within months of coming into the World.

It is often seen that the child is relived of the Thumb sucking act by the age of 5 years and if this continues for a longer period, than advice of a Pediatric Dentist must be taken to help the child to give up this habit.

Bad effects of Thumb sucking:

The child is likely to develop crooked teeth and a malformation of palate.
Speech defects can take place from malaligned teeth.
The coordination between the lower and the upper jaw may be effected.

Tips:

1. The child must be engaged

Praise children for not sucking, instead of scolding them when they do.
If a child is sucking their thumb when feeling insecure or needing comfort, focus instead on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.
If a child is sucking on their thumb because of boredom, try getting a child's attention with a fun activity.
Involve older children in the selection of a means to cease thumb sucking.
The pediatric dentist can offer encouragement to a child and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking.
Only if these tips are ineffective, remind the child of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock/glove on the hand at night.

Thumb-sucking can cause problems for dental development. To prevent their children from sucking their thumbs some parents put hot sauce or sour potions on their child's thumbs ~~ although this is not a procedure encouraged by the American Dental Association[1]: or the Association of Pediatric Dentists [2]. During the 1950s, parents could get a series of sharp prongs known as "hay-rakes" cemented to a child's teeth to discourage sucking. Most children stop sucking on thumbs, pacifiers or other objects on their own between two and four years of age. No harm is done to their teeth or jaws until permanent teeth start to erupt. The only time it might cause concern is if it goes on beyond 6 to 8 years of age. At this time, it may affect the shape of the oral cavity or dentition.

Tips from the American Dental Association [3]:

Praise children for not sucking, instead of scolding them when they do.
If a child is sucking their thumb when feeling insecure or needing comfort, focus instead on correcting the cause of the anxiety and provide comfort to your child.
If a child is sucking on their thumb because of boredom, try getting a child's attention with a fun activity.
Involve older children in the selection of a means to cease thumb sucking.
The pediatric dentist can offer encouragement to a child and explain what could happen to their teeth if they do not stop sucking.
Only if these tips are ineffective, remind the child of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock/glove on the hand at night.

Summary of Best Practices Recommendations:

American Academy of Pediatrics [4]: Most children suck their thumbs or fingers at some time in their early life. The only time it might cause concern is if it goes on beyond 6 to 8 years of age or affects the shape of the child's mouth or teeth.
American Dental Association [5]: Children suck on objects as a natural reflex; however, after the permanent teeth erupt, such sucking may cause problems with the development of the mouth and alignment of the teeth.


teatment:
The best prevention is to get your newborn to take up the pacifier instead of thumbsucking or finger-sucking. (Although prolonged use of the pacifier can lead to similar problems, it, at least, is not attached to the child and can be removed.)
Children should be helped to give up the habit before they enter school to prevent teasing.
Timing of treatment is important. Your child should be willing to give up thumbsucking or finger-sucking. If your child is not willing to stop, therapy is not usually indicated. Pressure you apply to stop may only lead to resistance and lack of cooperation. Try again later.
Give your child attention and understanding and gently discourage the habit. Reminders such as a band-aid on the thumb can help.
Offer rewards (star on chart, dimes, extra story) for days when your child is successful. Praise your child when successful.
After daytime sucking is controlled:
Help your child to give up the sucking habit during sleep. This is usually an involuntary process and a glove, sock, or thumb/finger guard can help stop the habit.
Take one step at a time. Encourage your child not to suck during one daytime activity, like storytime or television watching. Gradually add another activity until daytime sucking is controlled.
If these considerations are not successful, see your dental professional or doctor for further support. By the time your child's permanent teeth begin to erupt (at around 6 years of age), it should be brought to their attention. Your dental oral health professional may have other suggestions such as a reminder bar that is placed in the upper mouth.

A child usually turns to his thumb when he is tired, upset or bored.

Talk to your pediatrician and your child's dentist, who may recommend, especially in the case of an overbite, the insertion of a device in the child's mouth known as a palatal bar that prevents sucking.