If thumb sucking persists after the age of five in your child he/she could:

• Spoil his/her jawbone as their bones are still pliable
• His/her teeth may grow out of position
• His/her lower teeth may grow in an inward fashion
• This habit could also affect the growth of the child's palate that could cause chewing, speech and swallowing problems
• Kids can also develop skeletal deformities in severe cases

Dr Satish Nair, a pediatrician practising in Mulund, says, “Up to two years of age thumb sucking is quite a healthy activity. But if the habit continues when the child is forming his/her permanent teeth then the child can have protruding teeth and some injuries on his/her thumb. However, if the habit persists beyond five years of age then it is a matter of concern. Thumb sucking in such cases points towards emotional insecurity, which could be serious. If this is not treated in time it could bring along night time crying, excessive bed wetting and other behavioural problems.”

Thumb sucking among teenagers, adults

Dr Shailesh Umate, a practising psychiatrist, who also handles child cases as well says that the habit of thumb sucking continuing beyond seven to eight years of age could point towards an underlying psychological problem. “Habits like sucking one’s thumb or nail biting points towards anxiety, insecurity and depression. It is only when he/she is stressed, anxious, scared will he/she resort to this. The cause could be unfamiliar people, a fight among parents or plain discomfort. The person resorts to thumb sucking since he/she finds thumb sucking soothing and derives certain satisfaction from this,” elaborates Dr Umate.

Dr Umate states that this problem could be sorted out to some extent if parents intervene in time. “Parents should talk to their kids and try and check with them what makes them uncomfortable or stressed. And if that does not help then seeking professional help is important. If this habit goes unchecked there are children who continue this habit even after they are 20. This habit needs to be checked since in severe cases ignoring this could lead to suicidal tendencies.”

So the next time you see your kid suck his/her thumb don’t fret. Just talk to him/her about it and device a healthy solution for the same.

Tips for parents

• Don't pressurize your child to stop the habit suddenly. This will only reinforce the habit
• Talk to them about why they do this and ways to work together to stop the habit. When and how you approach them is also important 
• Praise them when they do not suck their thumb. Also activity reinforcements work well for kids. For instance, solve a jigsaw puzzle with them or play a nice game with them
• Don't get frustrated with your child. This would only worsen the habit. Stay patient and talk to him/her when he/she is in a mood to listen
• If you realise that your child sucks his/her thumb because he/she feels insecure, attend to the cause of the anxiety or offer any comfort that you can. Tell him/her how much you love and trust him. This will go a long way in building confidence
• If your child is older, involve him/her in devicing a way that will help them stop the habit
• Speak to your dentist to explain to your child the ill effects of thumb sucking and encourage him/her to quit

Pic: Carla McCoy