Q: How do I get my child to stop thumbsucking? He’s turning 6 soon and he still cannot stop this habit. Will this affect his teeth alignment? We’re also worried that other children might tease him.
A: Dr. Erwin Martin Cabusas, DMD:
Toddlers incur no harm from thumbsucking because their mouths are still pliable and their teeth are not yet permanent.
However, by age 6, they will start growing permanent teeth. Sustained thumbsucking at this age may push their newly erupted front teeth forward. In this case, you will most likely have to save up for a meeting with an orthodontist.
Also, when their teeth are askew, children may have difficulty pronouncing consonant sounds such as b, j, m, p, s, z, sh, th, and ch—this is known as lisping.
Moreover, long-term thumbsucking may cause a deep dent in the child’s palatal vault or ngala-ngala. A new implement, called the “rake,” is recommended by some dentists to protect the palatal vault from any impending damage. It works as a removable orthodontic tooth repositioner used to align the teeth by keeping the thumb out and the tongue back. It has proven to be successful in just a few months, but has yet to gain popularity in the Philippines.
Still, it’s normal for preschoolers to suck their thumbs or chew their nails. These are harmless ways of soothing themselves and releasing tension. They will learn to lose these habits at their own pace. With a calm and relaxed reminder every now and then, you’ll be able to get your message through.
Click here to read more on what moms and experts recommend to deal with thumbsucking.
[previous|page|next]
Read on for what moms and experts recommend to deal with thumbsucking.
If the habit really bothers you, visit a dentist with your son and have his teeth checked for any problems, while explaining to him the purpose of the visit and what good the dentist’s advice can bring him. All in all, thumbsucking is a harmless habit and you need not worry too much on interfering.
A: Deng Buluran, mom to Simon and Sandy; caregivers’ trainer and academic tutor:
First, talk to the child and explain the possible effects thumbsucking might have on his permanent teeth, Dr. Erwin Martin Cabusas, DMD:
Toddlers incur no harm from thumbsucking because their mouths are still pliable and their teeth are not yet permanent.
However, by age 6, they will start growing permanent teeth. Sustained thumbsucking at this age may push their newly erupted front teeth forward. In this case, you will most likely have to save up for a meeting with an orthodontist.
Also, when their teeth are askew, children may have difficulty pronouncing consonant sounds such as b, j, m, p, s, z, sh, th, and ch—this is known as lisping.
Moreover, long-term thumbsucking may cause a deep dent in the child’s palatal vault or ngala-ngala. A new implement, called the “rake,” is recommended by some dentists to protect the palatal vault from any impending damage. It works as a removable orthodontic tooth repositioner used to align the teeth by keeping the thumb out and the tongue back. It has proven to be successful in just a few months, but has yet to gain popularity in the Philippines.
Still, it’s normal for preschoolers to suck their thumbs or chew their nails. These are harmless ways of soothing themselves and releasing tension. They will learn to lose these habits at their own pace. With a calm and relaxed reminder every now and then, you’ll be able to get your message through.
If the habit really bothers you, visit a dentist with your son and have his teeth checked for any problems, while explaining to him the purpose of the visit and what good the dentist’s advice can bring him. All in all, thumbsucking is a harmless habit and you need not worry too much on interfering.
Click here to read more on what moms and experts recommend to deal with thumbsucking.
[previous|page|next]
Read on for what moms and experts recommend to deal with thumbsucking.
A: Jane Apilado; preschool teacher, Woodstock Learning Center:
Many parenting books say that kids should stop thumbsucking by age 5. While this is true, we cannot peg this age as our ultimate deadline. As all individuals are unique, we all have our own personal clock of readiness. Some kids stop this habit as early as age 1, others by age 4. There are those who go beyond, like age 6 or even 7. Generally, kids drop the habit by the time they get busier in school and in the playground.
Keeping your kid busy is a good way to jumpstart the weaning process. Talk to him casually about why his thumbsucking worries you, and ask him why he sucks his thumb.
Try reading him the book David Decides About Thumbsucking by Susan Heitler. The title itself reinforces that the decision to stop thumbsucking is the child’s to make. The story is about a boy named David and how he learned to keep his thumb out of his mouth. The book also has a guide that shows positive ways parents can motivate their kids to quit the habit.
A: Cherry Mercado, mom to Cerise and Carine:
Thumb or finger sucking is not a sign of any regression or impairment in growth whether physically, emotionally, or psychologically. Some children feel the need to do this to feel more relaxed or secure. For them, it is simply a natural reflex.
Talk to your son and remind him of things that he needs to remember if he still chooses to put his thumb in his mouth, such as making sure his hands are clean all the time to avoid getting sick.
So far, I have yet to see any emotional disadvantages of thumb or finger sucking in my 2 girls. I used to worry a lot about the habit’s physical effects on my children, such as teeth and finger deformity. But after careful research, and heeding the advice of my daughters’ dentist, I put my worries to rest.
My eldest daughter heard the dentist explain that thumbsucking is not good for children with permanent teeth coming out, so she voluntarily tried to give up the habit. She hasn’t totally given up, but I know she’s getting there.
Disclaimer:
Some dentists say that thumbsucking at age 6 is okay, while others maintain that it is not. Get a second opinion if you have doubts about your dentist’s recommendation. —ed.
Photography by David Hanson Ong
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
