Sucking the thumb is a completely natural activity for children. However, if the habit was to follow them into infancy or early childhood, it can affect their oral health. Infants and children often suck their thumbs for reducing stress and anxiety, which is really okay!

However, long thumb sucking is cause for concern, especially when the permanent teeth start to grow. You can visit the Amazon UK website and purchase finger sucking glove via https://www.amazon.co.uk/Age-2-7-Stop-Thumb-Sucking/dp/B00VQU2DZS.

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Dentists are concerned that there is a possibility that the habit can affect the position of the teeth, creating an overbite. It also can damage the roof of the mouth. However, the level of oral health problems really depends on the intensity and regularity of thumb sucking.

There are cases when the damage to the teeth can be enough to hamper the proper chewing and even cause problems with speech. It is suggested that children stop sucking their thumb between the ages of two and four years, or when the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt.

Want to know how to help your child stop sucking his thumb? Here are some simple and Don'ts:

Do’s

  • Praise your child for not sucking.
  • Creating little incentive to help compliment. One idea is to offer a gold star for the day they do not thumb sucking.
  • Talk about sucking his thumb in a calm manner, without accusing them of doing something wrong.
  • Explain to them what could happen in their mouths if they continue to thumb sucking.