Children begin to suck their thumb (or fingers) for their own reasons. Mostly, they find it soothing or comforting to do so. The action of thumb-sucking mimics that of suckling when infants breastfeed. Kids may resort to sucking their thumb due to separation anxiety or something else. If you are at loggerheads about how to stop your child from sucking thumb then reach out to your pediatrician for expert help.

Look for a local pediatrician if you already don’t have one. Be willing to change your doctor if your current pediatrician is unwilling to address all your concerns. Use easy online searches to find a new doctor. Use location search keywords such as best pediatrician in Jacksonville FL. Use a location as per your requirements.

Why thumb-sucking is a problem?

Children who suck thumb for prolonged periods may develop an overbite. They may then require treatment at a later stage to correct their teeth. If kids stop sucking their thumb before the growth of permanent teeth; the problem may be less severe. Constant sucking of thumbs or fingers can alter the shape of the mouth; causing dental problems later.

The skin of the thumb may begin to tear up due to the constant sucking action. The skin may even bleed; causing further problems.

Children who suck thumb or fingers are also making it easier for germs to enter their mouths; risking infections.

If thumb-sucking is allowed for prolonged periods; the child may be prone to greater anxiety. As children get older and enter their school years, they may become subject to bullying due to their habits. If they continue to suck their thumb in hiding; this may further increase their anxiety.

How a pediatrician can help?

Pediatricians oversee common issues pertaining to children on a daily basis. They are experts in their fields and can address each of their patient’s concerns as per their own unique needs.

. You may have tried home remedies or reward-punishment tactics to no avail. Your child continues to suck his or her thumb. Before the problem accelerates, it is best to consult your child’s doctor for the best possible solutions.

. The pediatrician will try to assess the problem and find what may be causing your child to suck the thumb or fingers. Older children may be experiencing separation anxiety once they begin school or have confidence issues. Sucking the thumb acts as a pacifier and provides temporary comfort to the child. The pediatrician may ask you questions to find the causes. If your child can speak and is willing to talk, the doctor may try asking questions to him or her. Such assessments can help the doctor to treat your child’s anxiety before it becomes severe.

. The pediatrician may recommend tried and tested tactics to counter the problem. The reward method is a common solution to stop a child from sucking the thumb. The idea is to reward your child every time he or she stops sucking the thumb upon your insistence. You can reward the child with some playtime, a quick story, a sticker, or anything that works for you. The sticker method works with children quite well. You can buy colorful stickers and give one to your child as a reward. You can put them up on a sheet and put the sheet on the fridge or in the child’s room. You can slowly extend the reward time to 5 hours or a day. The rewards can vary; such as a park visit in the evening if your child refrains from sucking the thumb for the entire day!

. The pediatrician can recommend dentists if your child requires emergency dental treatment due to constant thumb-sucking. If the skin rashes are bad, the doctor can provide treatment to avoid infections. If your child’s anxiety is severe, the pediatrician may refer you to another expert.

. The pediatrician can also soothe your worries about your child’s thumb-sucking habit. Oftentimes; these problems take care of themselves. If the doctor feels you have nothing to worry about post your child’s examination; you can take it easy.

In any case, a good pediatrician is always around to help their patients.