IMPORTANT: Aimed at the general public, the Bücco Guide is a general educational guide. Its content presents some of the most common dental practices. However, there are many approaches and philosophies in dentistry and your dentist / specialist will be able to advise you on what he believes to be the most appropriate for your oral health. Do not hesitate to consult a dentist / specialist for more information.
Thumb sucking is an innate reflex in infants. It is this reflex, which appears in the mother’s womb around the twelfth week of pregnancy, that allows them to eat (breastfeed or bottle-feed), but also to relax. Essential – and quite healthy – during the first years of life, prolonged thumb sucking, i.e. beyond about four years of age, carries a significant risk of dental complications. |
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Children usually stop sucking their thumbs on their own. It is possible, however, that this habit may continue beyond the age of 3 or 4 years. This reflex tends to return when the child is tired, anxious or sick. A child can also suck his thumb to fall asleep better at night. |
It is advisable to wait until the child reaches the age of 4 before intervening. If the child continues to suck his thumb beyond this age and doesn’t seem ready to stop, there are a few things that can help you eliminate this habit:
In all cases, positive reinforcement (compliments, rewards, good words, etc.) has been shown to be the most effective way to stop thumb sucking. |
The consequences of a prolonged thumb sucking habit are diverse. This can lead to, among other things:
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Dentists recommend using a pacifier instead of letting the child suck his thumb. When it comes time to stop this habit, it is easy to remove the pacifier, while a child who sucks his thumb always has access to it. There is a wide range of pacifiers, so it is easy to find a model that will suit your child’s needs. Be careful, however, certain behaviours should be avoided, including soaking the pacifier in a sweet liquid, which promotes the development of early dental caries. |