How do I get my daughter to stop sucking her finger? She is almost 3 yrs. old and it is messing up her teeth.

Answer 1

I had the same issues with both my kids. It is harder to get a child to stop sucking their thumb or fingers as compared to getting them to stop sucking a pacifier. I always believe that the best way is to talk to your child and explain and show him what it does. The first step in changing anything, even when your an adult, is understanding that there is a problem and wanting to change it. Although, at three, I would only start talking about it. Emphasize that she is a big girl now and tell her to take notice of older children, that they do not suck, etc. It is important to do this with kindness.

When my older son was five, I got him to agree to put a liquid on his sucking finger that caused a terrible taste and as a result helped him stop. Sucking is a habit and is very hard to break. He wanted to stop and during the day, for the most part, he stopped but at night time and during his sleep, he would suck. He didn't know what to do. I offered him this method and made him realize that it was unpleasant but also encouraged him that it may help him stop. It worked.

Answer 2

don't worry about it

Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep.

Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and tooth alignment. How intensely a child sucks on fingers or thumbs will determine whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs.

Children should cease thumb sucking by the time their permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, children stop between the ages of two and four. Peer pressure causes many school-aged children to stop.

Pacifiers are no substitute for thumb sucking. They can affect the teeth essentially the same way as sucking fingers and thumbs. However, use of the pacifier can be controlled and modified more easily than the thumb or finger habit. If you have concerns about thumb sucking or use of a pacifier, consult your pediatric dentist.

Answer 3

Have a reward.
If she doesn't suck her finger for a whole day have a reward.
Then if she doesn't suck her finger for a half a week have a reward.
Then a whole week, etc.
She should finally stop sucking her finger and you can ease her off of her awards.

Answer 4

I doubt very much that the messed up teeth is result of the finger sucking...more like GENETICS. If your child's teeth are messed up it is because of you and her father not her finger.

Answer 5

I used to do that when I was young....my parents tried and tried to stop me without success. In the end I went to the dentist and was told to stop and it worked instantly.

I don't remember it but my Mum always tells me....I guess the dentist must have been a scarey one! Maybe you could ask yours to have a talk with your daughter.

Answer 6

Usually, child sucks his finger..if it is that the way ur child can concentrate of what he's doing..just go on...don't worry about it bec as he grows older..he has the mind to think of what he's dfoing is wrong.

Answer 7

I had a friend whose upper teeth were pushed halfway to the back of her upper jaw. She was so pretty, but when she showed me what happened to her upper teeth because of years of thumbsucking I was absolutely shocked. Try rubbing ginger or tabasco on her thumbs.... or something that tastes bitter, but not toxic.