Finger sucking in children is one of the natural behaviors in the first years of life, which usually starts from infancy and makes the child feel calm and secure. will be However, if this habit continues until old age, it can cause dental problems, jaw deformities and even speech disorders.
Parental awareness and using appropriate methods to reduce this behavior at the appropriate time not only preserves the health of the child's teeth and mouth, but also supports his self-confidence and social behavior. Join us to get to know the best ways to prevent finger sucking.
Ways to prevent finger sucking
Thumb sucking is common in children, but if it continues, your child may suffer from side effects of thumb sucking. Fortunately, there are simple methods that parents can use to stop sucking their child's finger.
1. Encourage and praise
Praise your baby when he plays or sleeps without thumb sucking. Positive encouragement makes the child feel good and motivated not to continue this behavior. Small and affectionate compliments have a greater effect than punishment.
2. Identification of stimuli
Pay attention when the child sucks his finger. He may do this when he is tired, stressed or before going to sleep. Identifying these situations will help you provide alternative solutions and discourage him from sucking his finger.3. Separation from relaxation factors
Some children suck their finger when they are with a certain toy or blanket. You can reduce this contact or keep toys and comforters away temporarily so that the baby becomes less dependent on finger sucking.
4. Being patient in the face of setbacks
Sometimes the child will suck his finger again, even after giving up the habit for a while. In these situations, do not get angry and do not blame him. The patience and calmness of the parents helps the child to continue quitting the habit without pressure and anxiety.
5. Talk and explain
Explain to the child in simple language why it is important to quit this habit. Also, the dentist can talk to the child and explain the importance of oral health. When the child understands the reason for breaking the habit, he will be more cooperative.
6. Alternative presentation
Give the baby alternative things to find comfort without finger sucking. These substitutes can be finger protectors, soft toys, or even activities like painting and playing. Finding a suitable alternative will help the child to quit more easily.
7. Involve the child in decision-making
Let the child decide how to leave. When the child feels involved, he will be more motivated and the process of breaking the habit will be associated with less resistance.
8. Consistency in behaviors
All family members, teachers and even the dentist should follow the same procedure. If everyone has a different method, the child will be confused and it will be harder to leave the finger sucking habit.
9. Compliance with convenience
If you use a finger guard, make sure it is the right size and the child is comfortable. The uncomfortable protector may cause the child to discard it or develop resistance behavior.
10. Comprehensive cooperation
Cooperation between family, school and dentist will help the child to be more successful in quitting the thumb sucking habit. When everyone acts in the same direction, the child feels supported and the negative pressure decreases.
Benefits of quitting smoking Finger
Preventing finger sucking has many benefits for the child:
- Health of teeth and jaw
- Improving speech and pronunciation
- Higher self-confidence
- Reducing social problems
- Prevention of byte types
- Decreasing teeth protrusion
- Preventing jaw deformation
- reducing the risk of mouth infection
- Improving oral health
- Mental and emotional peace of parents
- Easier for the child to sleep
- reducing the possibility of embarrassment or harassment of peers
- Strengthening social skills
- Improve oral and facial general health
When prevention of finger sucking is not done and it causes damage, dental and orthodontic treatments will be needed.
Orthodontics What role does it play?
Orthodontics can help the child in two ways:
- Preventing the worsening of the problem: If the child has not yet grown his permanent teeth, the orthodontist can reduce the pressure caused by sucking the finger and prevent the deformation of the jaw and teeth with special tools.
- Correctingteeths and jaw: If the child's teeth and jaw have changed due to finger sucking, braces or other orthodontic devices can straighten the teeth and correct the bite.
Useful article: difference between preventive and curative orthodontics
Concluding remarks
Leave the habit of sucking the finger as soon as possible, it will prevent teeth, jaw and self-confidence problems of the child. With patience, encouragement and providing suitable alternatives, parents can accompany the child without pressure and anxiety. Even if the child sometimes sucks his finger again, your comfort and support will make the process of breaking the habit easier and more successful. Finally, the kind companionship of parents, school and dentist is the key to oral health and confidence of the child in the future.
