child has a habit of finger sucking and starts to show orodental changes, the child needs:
a- Early appliance.***
b- Psychological therapy.
----------------------------
Sucking your finger:
Many babies and children suck their thumbs. Some even begin to suck their finger while they are still in the womb.
Sucking your finger can make children feel safe and happy. They can suck their thumb when they are tired, hungry, bored, stressed or when they are trying to calm down or sleep.
Information:
Do not worry too much if your child sucks his thumb.
DO NOT punish or scold your child for stopping. Most children stop sucking their fingers on their own when they are 3 to 4 years old. They stop sucking their finger and find other ways to comfort themselves.
Older children often stop doing this due to peer pressure at school. But if your child feels pressured to stop, he may want to suck his finger even more. Understand that sucking your finger is the way the child calms and comforts.
It's good for children to suck their fingers until permanent teeth start to come out, about 6 years old. Damage to teeth or palate seems to occur more if a child sucks his finger hard. If your child does this, try to help him stop sucking his finger at age 4 to avoid damage.
If your child's thumb turns red and cracked, apply cream or lotion.
Help your child stop sucking his finger.
Know that this is a hard habit to overcome. Start talking to your child about suspending this when he is 5 or 6 years old and that you know that his permanent teeth will come out soon. Also, help him if he sucks his finger ashamed.
If you know when your child most often sucks his finger, look for other ways for the child to find comfort and feel safe.
- Offer a toy or stuffed animal.
- Put him to nap before, when he notices that he is getting sleepy.
- Help him talk about his frustrations instead of sucking his finger to calm down.
- Give your child support when you try to stop sucking your finger.
Congratulate your child for not sucking his finger.
Ask the dentist or your child's healthcare provider to talk with the child about stopping the habit and explain the reasons for doing so. Also, ask the health care providers who care for your child about:
- Using a bandage or thumb guard to help your child.
- The use of dental appliances if your child's teeth and mouth have been affected.
- Placing a bitter medicine on the thumb. Be careful to use something that is safe for your child to consume.
a- Early appliance.***
b- Psychological therapy.
----------------------------
Sucking your finger:
Many babies and children suck their thumbs. Some even begin to suck their finger while they are still in the womb.
Sucking your finger can make children feel safe and happy. They can suck their thumb when they are tired, hungry, bored, stressed or when they are trying to calm down or sleep.
Information:
Do not worry too much if your child sucks his thumb.
DO NOT punish or scold your child for stopping. Most children stop sucking their fingers on their own when they are 3 to 4 years old. They stop sucking their finger and find other ways to comfort themselves.
Older children often stop doing this due to peer pressure at school. But if your child feels pressured to stop, he may want to suck his finger even more. Understand that sucking your finger is the way the child calms and comforts.
It's good for children to suck their fingers until permanent teeth start to come out, about 6 years old. Damage to teeth or palate seems to occur more if a child sucks his finger hard. If your child does this, try to help him stop sucking his finger at age 4 to avoid damage.
If your child's thumb turns red and cracked, apply cream or lotion.
Help your child stop sucking his finger.
Know that this is a hard habit to overcome. Start talking to your child about suspending this when he is 5 or 6 years old and that you know that his permanent teeth will come out soon. Also, help him if he sucks his finger ashamed.
If you know when your child most often sucks his finger, look for other ways for the child to find comfort and feel safe.
- Offer a toy or stuffed animal.
- Put him to nap before, when he notices that he is getting sleepy.
- Help him talk about his frustrations instead of sucking his finger to calm down.
- Give your child support when you try to stop sucking your finger.
Congratulate your child for not sucking his finger.
Ask the dentist or your child's healthcare provider to talk with the child about stopping the habit and explain the reasons for doing so. Also, ask the health care providers who care for your child about:
- Using a bandage or thumb guard to help your child.
- The use of dental appliances if your child's teeth and mouth have been affected.
- Placing a bitter medicine on the thumb. Be careful to use something that is safe for your child to consume.
