What is the physical damage caused by thumb-sucking??

Question

My 4 yr. old will not sucking her thumb after trying many ways to get her to stop. I want to show her pictures of the damage caused by thumbsucking so she can get a bit of a scare and maybe that will help. We've tried basically everything from promising her a toy she really wants to using the bitter nail polish to putting a sock over her hand and she's as stubborn as ever. I know it's a bit unorthodox to want to scare your kid but at this point I can't think of anything else. We've even mentioned to her that her dentist is going to have to put a device in her mouth (her dr. really did tell her that)so she won't be able to suck her thumb and that she's gonna have to get braces and she thinks it's no big deal and actually pretty cool...Our dr. told us that she won't do permanent damage until her permanent teeth start coming in but she'll be 5 in a few months and time flies so I need some ideas...help.

Answer 1

well she would grow out of it give it time n sees wat happens the best thin u can put on her finger is aloes that thin is bitter as h**l try n see if it works

Answer 2

Thumb sucking is comforting.  It releases chemicals into the body that calm a person down and make her feel safe.  If you don't replace the thumb with something just as effective, she will not stop.

I sucked my thumb when I was little.  My parents tried everything to make me stop.  I didn't stop until I decided to and even then it was a slow weaning process.

My teeth are still crooked because of it.

So my suggestion is that you help her find something that works just as well or better to calm and comfort her.

Answer 3

y dont you get the device to get rid of thumbsucking?

my neighbor's kid got it and it really worked. the spikes really prevent them from sucking..

another option is to let her be. once she grows older, she'll see that bigger kids are not doing that and she'll conform because she will feel embarassed. if she keeps doing it, kids will make fun of her, so she has to stop.

Answer 4

I sucked my thumb until I was 18 and my teeth are perfectly fine, never had any problems with my teeth or any other physical problems.

Answer 5

She will create a malocclusion and the permanent teeth will be misaligned....yes, there ARE permanent problems from this that would have to be fixed by orthodontics ....

I would tape her thumb during the night....and try to break the habit..!

It will save dollars, and many dental visits that will come.....