|
|
Most parents consider thumb sucking perfectly normal in babies. It comforts them, gives them a sense of well-being, eases boredom and provides them with entertainment.
While statistics aren’t exact, experts agree that most infants suck their thumbs. (Many babies are thumb suckers in the womb and are born with calluses to prove it!) The habit tapers as children mature, with more than a third continuing during preschool years.
However, by age 5, this formerly harmless activity is now problematic from both a dental and orthodontic standpoint. Between the ages of 5 and 7, children’s mouths undergo a major growth spurt, and thumb sucking can cause significant damage by distorting the normal growth pattern of the mouth and teeth. At an earlier age, thumb sucking causes little or no permanent damage to the teeth or palate. But by age 5, because the mouth is in a growth spurt, and because the permanent teeth are beginning to erupt, the physical pressure of continued thumb sucking can be significant—it may push the palate upward, the front teeth forward and the lower jaw backward, leaving the child with a high, narrow palate and an overjet (a horizontal space between the upper and lower teeth).
Dentists commonly warn parents about the danger of thumb sucking. The longer the habit persists, the greater the likelihood of serious problems, requiring braces or orthodontic appliances. If thumb sucking is discontinued before permanent teeth erupt, there is usually less permanent damage. But there are other potential negatives to consider. The habit tends to encourage speech problems, particularly a lisp, as well as open-mouth breathing, which may lead to more frequent colds and sore throats. In addition, by the time a child is in school, peer pressure can become a factor.
Helping your child stop this habit need not be as difficult as you might imagine. As a speech pathologist and orofacial myologist—a professional specializing in helping people overcome swallowing and digit sucking problems—I use behavior modification to help children eliminate thumb sucking. In order for behavior modification to be successful it is essential that at least one parent be actively involved in helping the child implement the program. In the program I use, ground rules are carefully spelled out beforehand in easy-to-follow, clearly defined steps.
Before beginning a behavior modification program, it is important that children ages 6 to 10 acknowledge that they have a thumb-sucking problem and want to quit. (You’d be surprised how many children are in denial about this.) We ask three simple questions:
If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” further discussion may help a child develop the readiness necessary for successfully stopping the sucking habit. Often, it helps if the parents assure the child that they will provide encouragement and support. When the children who enter our program are ready, we have them sign a contract stating that they intend to accomplish their goal. This way, they are in charge of the decision to quit. Most important among the 10 basic ground rules, or steps, that we follow in our program are the following:
Help your child understand when thumb sucking is most likely to occur—which situations and emotions are likely to trigger it, and at what times of the day and night.
Make sure the vulnerable digit is covered with a glove, bandage or finger splint, especially during times of stress and temptation. It is crucial that the “skin-on-skin” seal—thumb touching palate—is broken.
Record your child’s progress on a monthly calendar-like chart.
Reward your child. Together, plan a daily reward to be given only after each fully successful 24-hour period. Rewards might include 10 extra minutes of reading or television watching, a back rub or a favorite meal.
Help your child picture himself successful.
Help your child choose alternative activities to help delay his urge to suck his thumb; for example, calling friends, playing computer games or riding his bike.
Six months after quitting, a child should be evaluated by a dentist or an orofacial myologist to make sure no permanent damage has been sustained to his teeth, jaw, palate or speech. The earlier the habit is discontinued, the better. Children who successfully
quit sucking their thumbs have increased
onfidence and self-esteem, with the added benefit that the parent and child have worked together to successfully accomplish a goal.
Carol A. Mayer is a speech pathologist and certified orofacial myologist in Glen Ellyn and Hinsdale. She is a co-author, with Barbara E. Brown, of the book, My Thumb and I, a step-by step program for stopping thumb sucking. The book
is available for $19.95 by calling 800/469-2322.