Oral Habit elimination Program

Thumb or finger sucking is  a common sight among babies and small children. Infants are born with a natural urge to suck their thumbs, which usually decreases after they reach the age of 6 months.   Some children, however, continue to suck their thumbs or fingers to soothe themselves . Thumb sucking can quickly become a habit in children who do so when they feel impatient, scared, hungry,  tired, or bored.

My child sucks their thumb, what's the problem? 

Although not considered a serious problem by many as far as habits are concerned, if thumb or fingers sucking persists longer than it should, some not so-pleasant problems develop. Thumb sucking can speed up the growth of the upper jaw, slow down the growth of the

lower jaw, and cause improper alignment of the teeth.  Other long-term complications may also develop. Constant pressure by the thumb or fingers can cause a high narrow palate, early loss of baby teeth abnormal swallowing patterns, improper tongue position, and speech problems.  Children who can break the habit typically enjoy an improved appearance, an ability to speak more clearly, and better dental health.