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Dental care - thumb sucking
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Sucking on fingers or thumbs is healthy and normal when children
are infants. Most children stop somewhere between two and four years
of age. The effects of thumb sucking are usually reversible up until
the age of seven, because children still have their deciduous (baby)
teeth. If thumb sucking continues beyond the age of seven, when
the second teeth are erupting, permanent dental problems can occur.
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Problems caused by thumb and finger sucking
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Excessive
thumb sucking may lead to:
Buck teeth - for example, the front teeth may be pushed out of alignment. This can alter the shape of the face and lead to an open bite.
A lisp - pre-school children who suck their fingers and thumbs can push their teeth out of their normal position. This interferes with the correct formation of certain speech sounds.
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Helping children to stop the habit
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There
are various things you can do to help your child stop thumb sucking.
Focusing on the positives and rewarding your child are important.
Depending on your child’s age and ability, you might like
to try:
Reward
your child and offer encouragement - for example, with
a hug or praise, to reinforce their decision to stop the habit.
Limit
nagging - if children feel they are being nagged they
will become defensive.
Mark their progress on a calendar
- for example, place a star or a tick for each period (such as a day or week) that the child does not suck their thumb or finger. Provide a special outing or a toy if the child gets through the period successfully.
Encourage bonding
- for example, with a special toy.
Reminders
- give the child a mitten to wear as a reminder not to suck, or place unpleasant tasting nail paint (available from chemists) on the fingers or thumb. Placing a
band aid over the thumb at bedtime is another reminder.
Offer distractions
- while a child is watching TV, have toys available for children to play with. Sit with the child during this time and give a cuddle to help them not to suck. In the car, have toys available to keep children occupied.
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How often to reward your child
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| Younger
children need more frequent rewards. A five to six year old may
need a reward after the first night. You can gradually stretch out
the reward period from one night, to a week and then to 30 days
without thumb sucking. |
* Your dental professional (dentist or dental therapist)
* Your pharmacist
* Your Community Dental Health service
* Your Maternal and Child Health nurse. |
1)
Children usually stop thumb and finger sucking between two and four
years of age.
2) Thumb and finger sucking after seven years of age may cause dental
problems.
3) It takes patience to help your child stop the habit.
4) Rewarding your child for not thumb sucking may help.
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WHEN IT BECOMES
A PROBLEM ?
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-Although
thumb sucking is a normal habit it can cause serious teeth problems
if it continues after teeth eruption.
-The problem gets serious if it continues after the age of four,
when the permanent teeth are about to appear.
-In some cases thumb sucking is substituted by another dangerous
habit as placing pencils between the teeth or biting the lips.
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Usually
children stop the habit on their own.
If they don't :
* Keep the child's hands occupied (e.g. with a toy)
* Ask the advice of a pediatric dentist.
* Give the example of his friends that have stopped thumb sucking.
* Don't put the child in a state of anxiety or fear.
* Avoid punishing the child. That might have the opposite result.
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