You are WORRIED about your child’s thumbsucking. Is it normal? Could it lead to problems for your child down the road? We want to reassure you that thumbsucking is normal for young children. The American Dental Association’s (ADA) Mouth Healthy article, “Thumbsucking” explains that it is a natural reflex for children that helps them to feel secure, to self-soothe, and to fall asleep. We want to alleviate your concerns by educating you on when thumbsucking could become a problem and why, and what you can do about it if needed.
When to be Concerned:
The above ADA article says that children usually stop sucking their thumbs between the ages of two and four years old, or by the time their permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Dr. Phoebe Tsang of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry adds that if it continues after age four, it could cause dental concerns. That said, the Mayo Clinic staff in their article, “Thumb Sucking: Help Your Child Break the Habit,” caution that thumbsucking behavior can return during times of stress for your child.
The Impact of Prolonged Thumbsucking:
The above ADA article explains that after permanent teeth come in, thumbsucking may cause problems with the proper growth of your child’s mouth and the alignment of their teeth, including changes to the roof of their mouth. Dr. Jade Miller, of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, adds that it can cause the upper front teeth to tip outward and the upper jaw to narrow in the back.
The ADA article further explains that the intensity of sucking can also impact whether or not dental problems could occur. For instance, they say that if children rest their thumbs passively in their mouths, they are less likely to have problems than those who vigorously suck their thumbs.
Methods to Stop Thumbsucking:
- Identify and Address Triggers:
The ADA article says that children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure or needing comfort, so providing comfort through a hug or reassuring words can be beneficial. The Mayo Clinic staff suggest replacement techniques such as a pillow or stuffed animal for your child to squeeze. - Problem-Solve with Your Child:
Start by talking to your child about their thumbsucking, says the Mayo Clinic staff. You want the motivation to stop to ideally come from your child and for them to take ownership of even possible solutions. - Offer Gentle Reminders:
The Mayo Clinic staff warns against scolding, criticizing, or ridiculing your child for thumbsucking. Instead, they advise gentle reminders to stop, as putting too much pressure on a child to stop thumbsucking could actually delay the process. - Use Positive Reinforcement:
The Mayo Clinic staff also recommends praise or using small rewards for when your child avoids thumbsucking. They suggest placing stickers on a calendar to record successes, rewarding your child with an extra bedtime story or a trip to the park, for instance. We recommend finding rewards that are particularly meaningful to your child, and to consider an agreed-upon plan to give rewards based upon the number of earned stars. The important thing is to reward based upon time increments that are reasonable for your child in the beginning, and then slowly extending those time periods. - Talk to Your Dentist:
Your child may be more open to listen to their dentist than a parent about their thumbsucking. The dentist can offer both encouragement and explain consequences to your child, says the ADA article. - Use Deterrents:
If you have tried all of the above methods consistently, and it doesn’t work, there are ways to more actively deter your child from thumbsucking. The ADA article mentions putting a sock on your child’s hand at night. There are also bitter medications that your dentist or pediatrician can prescribe to coat the thumb, or there are mouth appliances that can be used. Talk to your dentist about these possible options.
There are MANY things to be concerned about when raising a child. We don’t want you to be overly concerned about your child’s thumbsucking, but we also want you to be prepared to know when and how to deal with it if necessary so your concerns can be alleviated and your child can get the help they might need. We are here for you to advise and to offer thumbsucking solutions!
References:
ADA. Thumbsucking. Mouth Healthy. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/thumbsucking. Accessed June 16, 2025.
Mayo Clinic. Thumb Sucking: Help Your Child Break the Habit. Healthy Lifestyle. September 30, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/thumb-sucking/art-20047038. Accessed June 16, 2025.
Miller, Jade. Little Teeth Truths: Is Thumb Sucking Hurting My Child’s Teeth? American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. https://www.mychildrensteeth.org/little-teeth-truths-is-thumb-sucking-hurting-my-childs-teeth/. Accessed June 16, 2025.
Tsang, Phoebe. Pacifier Use and Thumb Sucking: What Every Parent Should Know. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. https://www.mychildrensteeth.org/pacifier-use-and-thumb-sucking/. Accessed June 16, 2025.