It is a normal coping skill for young children to suck their thumbs, but it can become a problem if the habit remains after the child gets their teeth in. Not only can it cause dental issues requiring care in the future, thumb sucking can cause some serious emotional and psychological development problems.
Thumb sucking can cause overbite and open bite malocclusion, which can cause misalignment. These dental issues can also cause a speech impediment that will need to be re-worked in the future. It is also bad for their skin and causes rashes and irritation. Beyond the physical and cosmetic issues results of thumb sucking, there are consequences of the mind. Here are a few of these consequences and how to get your child to stop thumb sucking.
Ridicule by Peers
One of the first problems that can arise from prolonged thumb sucking is ridicule from their peers. When the rest of the children have stopped sucking their thumbs and a child continues, teasing can be the result. The habit also leads to speech problems that lead to ridicule all its own. Believe it or not, thumb sucking has some big social consequences. This may all seem innocuous, but getting ridiculed for your lack of development can cause psychological problems in the future. It doesn't just make your child feel bad, it can actually impact their emotional development.
Coping Skills
Since thumb sucking is one the first coping mechanisms that children learn, prolonging the habit sometimes leads to the inability to learn new coping skills. If a child continues to suck their thumbs, it can remain their go-to way to make themselves feel better, find calm, and mitigate their anxieties. Instead of facing fear head on, the child may revert to thumb sucking. This can even last into adulthood. It is important to stop thumb sucking in order to diversify their coping mechanisms as well as learning how to utilize their verbal communication skills.
Emotional Dependence
According to many psychologists, the children who stopped sucking their thumb or never began the habit in the first place became more emotionally independent at a younger age. It may not be a direct result of the physical act of thumb sucking, but it does reflect the emotional intelligence and progression of their development. It turns out that thumb sucking goes beyond a bad habit, it can stunt children.
Addictive Qualities
Beyond coping and emotional dependence, thumb sucking can also be considered the first addiction. Addictions first arise because they feel good. They are gratifying and comforting. This can begin when the decision is made to continue sucking thumbs even though they have been told to stop. This is a sign that the child may have problems with addictive behavior later in life. It is a self-reinforcing of a bad habit.
Overall Development
Thumb sucking may not be the cause of stunted development, it can be the sign of slow emotional growth. If your child is sucking their thumb too long and you have told them to stop, you should get them checked for emotional and psychological development. It could be the problem, or it could be a symptom. However you look at it, thumb sucking is a bad habit that needs to stop at the right time.
If your child doesn't have any teeth yet, the odds are that thumb sucking isn't a problem. But when they have a lot of teeth in their mouths, it is time to curb the habit. As their parent, it is your responsibility to make sure they stop sucking their thumbs and use other means of coping. If they simply cannot stop, you can always take them to see dentists and specialists who will speak to them, do the necessary tests, and tell you what you can do to help stop the bad habit, which may have a negative impact on your child in the future.
However you look at it, thumb sucking is an emotional coping skill that needs to be stopped at a certain age. It is also because they can cause physical problems and speech issues. You don't want your kid to be ridiculed, but the most important part of this is to make sure that they develop emotionally at a normal rate.
Ryan Beitler is a journalist, writer, and blogger who has written for The Slovenia Times, Paste Magazine, Deadline News, and many more.
