The action of sucking a thumb.
A common habit that soothes, calms, and comforts an infant. Approximately nine of ten babies suck their thumbs or fingers at some point. A normal habit, thumb-sucking is an extension of rooting and sucking reflexes. Most children give up the habit on their own by age 4. Thumb-sucking has the potential to distort the tooth alignment in the upper jaw and cause malformation of the roof of the mouth. If a child stops before age 5, the chances of damage are minimal. Thumb-sucking beyond age 5 requires the attention of a pediatrician or dentist. Once a child enters kindergarten, peer pressure discourages most daytime thumb-sucking. Only a child who continues thumb-sucking beyond age 5 ordinarily receives medical treatment. The doctor will review the situation to rule out any underlying emotional problems. All children eventually quit thumb-sucking on their own.
Thumb-Sucking, or finger-sucking, is a universal and harmless habit in infancy. It is usually given up gradually during the pre-school period, but quite often persists after school age especially if the child is tired, lonely or unhappy. In these cases the remedy is to deal with the cause. It is cruel to use threats or punishment to try to stop the habit. Persistence into later childhood may displace front teeth so prove to be an orthodontic problem.
The habit of sucking one’s thumb. Intermittent thumb sucking is not abnormal, but prolonged and intensive thumb sucking past the time the first permanent teeth erupt at 5 or 6 years of age can lead to a misshapen mouth and displaced teeth. If the habit persists, combined dental and psychological therapy should be instituted.
Thumb-sucking is a common behavior among young children, often serving as a source of comfort, oral satisfaction, entertainment when bored, and reassurance. The habit usually lessens after the age of three and most children outgrow it by age seven. Generally, it’s not harmful. However, if the habit persists beyond the age of seven, it could lead to malocclusion, or improper alignment of the permanent teeth. While this issue is typically temporary, ongoing thumb-sucking may necessitate the use of an orthodontic device.