• Home
  • About Us
    • About Dr. Soo Jun
    • About Dr. Grace Jung
    • Our Office
    • Our Team
    • Our Policies
  • First Visit
  • Forms
    • New Patient Forms
  • Services
    • Check Up Pediatric Dentistry
    • Preventive Pediatric Dentistry
    • Restorative and Cosmetic Pediatric Dentistry
    • Behavior Management Pediatric Dentistry
    • Laughing Gas Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Conscious Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Hospital Pediatric Dentistry
  • Contact
  • B
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Dr. Soo Jun
    • About Dr. Grace Jung
    • Our Office
    • Our Team
    • Our Policies
  • First Visit
  • Forms
    • New Patient Forms
  • Services
    • Check Up Pediatric Dentistry
    • Preventive Pediatric Dentistry
    • Restorative and Cosmetic Pediatric Dentistry
    • Behavior Management Pediatric Dentistry
    • Laughing Gas Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Conscious Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Hospital Pediatric Dentistry
  • Contact
  • B

Mint Kids Dentistry Blog

How to Help Your Child Break a Thumb-Sucking Habit

5/9/2016

 
Picture
Thumb-sucking is a very common childhood activity that make babies feel happy and secure. It is a natural reflex for kids – sucking fingers, thumbs, pacifiers and other objects. Young kids may also do this to relax themselves and help them fall asleep.

Is thumb-sucking normal at his age?

When should I be concerned about this thumb-sucking habit?

Most experts agree that a child younger than 5 and still thumb-sucking should not be pressured to stop. But the problem is, thumb-sucking can lead to dental problems. With the permanent teeth coming in, a child thumb-sucking beyond the age of 5 may develop an abnormal bite, but beyond this problem, some kids develop speech problems such as trouble with the ‘S’ sound and other tongue-tip sounds.

Prolonged thumb-sucking habit can cause minor problems such as calluses, chapped skin on the fingers and even fingernail infections. Fingernails may become shriveled up and the nails may not grow properly.

During the winter, the skin on finger may become cracked and dry, which could make him even want to suck more.
So, what can I do to stop this habit?

If your child is sucking his thumb, don’t fret. There are ways you can do to help him stop that habit.
  1. Talk to your child about the possible problems that may happen due to thumb-sucking in such a way that he understands the issue without making him worry or feel distress.
  2. Use plenty of positive reinforcement to encourage him to keep from thumb-sucking during waking hours.
  3. If your child sucks thumb during the day, create activities that will make his hands busy such as finger painting, coloring or playing with play dough. Identify situations that promote thumb-sucking such as watching TV or riding in the car. Use your imagination and your creativity to help your child.
  4. During bedtime, try bandaging the thumb or put on gloves for several weeks. This may be all that is needed for him to stop the habit.
  5. If the thumb-sucking still continues, please consult your pediatric dentist for other options. He/She can provide recommendations on other way to discourage your child from this thumb-sucking habit.

When your child successfully break the habit, make sure you praise and reward him. Take note that breaking any habit is difficult to do and such achievement is one that he should be proud of.
 
 


    Author

    Mint Kids Dentistry

    Archives

    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    July 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Flossing

    RSS Feed

Location

What Our Patients Are Saying

★★★★★
"Literally THE best kids dentistry EVER!!! If you want to have your kids' teeth checked out and have a blast time for them, then look no further. I don't do positive reviews because I feel that I pay for the service anyways but I must say, this placed is awesome for both kids and the parents. Highly recommend..”
— YELP user Jy C.

★★★★★
​"I was pretty nervious when my kid mentioned his toothache, because making my kid sit straight is very tall order, let alone when dentist probbing his mouth. Surprisingly, Dr Jun made my kid relaxed and somehow found a way to extract his teeth. My kid went to her again in a week, with no fear for follow up appointment. 

I would recommend her anytime. ”
— YELP user Ebe J.

Contact Us

1500 145th PL SE,
Bellevue, WA 98007
​
Ph: (425) 321 - 0833 
Fax: (425) 310 - 3772
Email: office@mintkidsdentistry.com
Business Hours
Mon, Wed, Thurs 8:00 - 5:00
Tues, 8:00 - 5:00

Fri (10-4 Administrative Only)
Pediatric Dentistry Blog

Sitemap

Home
About Us
About Dr. Soo Jun
​About Dr. Grace Jung
Our Office
Our Team
​Our Policies
First Visit
New Patient Registration & Medical/Dental History Form
​Forms
Services
Check Up
​Preventive
Behavior Management
Restorative & Cosmetic
Laughing Gas Sedation
Conscious Sedation
Hospital
Forms
Contact
Espanol
Blog

Designed & Managed by JSK

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Dr. Soo Jun
    • About Dr. Grace Jung
    • Our Office
    • Our Team
    • Our Policies
  • First Visit
  • Forms
    • New Patient Forms
  • Services
    • Check Up Pediatric Dentistry
    • Preventive Pediatric Dentistry
    • Restorative and Cosmetic Pediatric Dentistry
    • Behavior Management Pediatric Dentistry
    • Laughing Gas Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Conscious Sedation Pediatric Dentistry
    • Hospital Pediatric Dentistry
  • Contact
  • B