My 4 year old still sucks his thumb...how do i get him to stop?

Question

I have tried everything possible to get him to stop sucking his thumb....he only does it at night but i am afraid that it will result in him having teeth problems...like getting braces....but just want to know what to do.....i have tried hot sauces(the hottest i could find)...to the stuff they have for it called thumb....nothing has worked....Please HELP!!!!

Answer 1

Okay. My brother had the same problem first try hot sauce put a TONNN on. If that doesnt work try a sock one that smells really bad haha. That doesnt work then try nail polish put nail polish on because that stuff smells really bad and it tastes horrible. THEN if that still doesnt work try rewarding him tell him if he doesnt suck his thumb he will get certain rewards

Answer 2

There is a book out by a dentist who's name is "Dragan Antalos." The book is called "The little bear who sucked his thumb" You can look it up and order it over the net. My son loves it and it really motivates him to want to stop sucking.. (He's 4 too) Apparantly no real damage can be caused until they turn 5 so you have a little while before you have to worry. The other thing is that you should NEVER put hot sauce or polish on their nails as this makes them scared and insecure and thumb sucking is a comfort. The more you try to scare them, the more they will suck their thumb. Be encouraging and perhaps do up a thumb sucking chart with stickers. When they have gone for a week without sucking they get to go somewhere special with you...

Answer 3

Well, as someone who sucked their thumb until they were 13 I can tell you that I did not need braces. My daughter is 5 and sucks on her two middle fingers, she said she would stop when she turned five but she's still doing it. It is a thing that is done for comfort and I don't see a need to take it away. The more you bother a child about it the more insecure they become...the more they suck. Tell your son that it is up to him when he stops sucking his thumb but he has to decide a realistic time frame and count down the days with him. Otherwise, leave it alone and he will stop when he's ready and not a minute before.

Answer 4

My sister sucked her thumb until she was 8 years old. It did give her some trouble with her front teeth. My parents tried everything to get her to stop. Nothing worked. She only stopped when her classmates and friends told her that only babies suck their thumbs.

Answer 5

There is no medical proof to substantiate that thumb sucking will result in dental problems. I sucked my thumb up until 4 yrs old and my teeth are perfect. Dental problems will be the result of genetic issues and/or poor dental hygiene.

It's best to just let your child grow out of it naturally. In general, they will usually stop by the time their front teeth fall out of the second set. If you think about wrapping up the hands, the child will just take it off, so it's best to just let the child grow out of it.

Answer 6

HMMMMM THIS PROBLEM COMES UP ALOT IN FAMILYS. I HAVE A FRIEND HES 11 AND HE STILL SUCKS HIS THUMB I WOULD BE WORRIED JUST LIKE YOU I KNOW WHAT YOUR SAYING. CONSULT A DOCTOR THIS WORLD HAS MANY PROBLEMS AND ONE OF THE MAJOR ONES IS THUMB SUCKING BUT REALLY IF HE WONT STOP JUST TALK TO A DOCTOR OR GET HIM ACTIVE AND HAVE THINK ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE WHEN WILL SCHOOL START? WILL I PEE MY PANTS TODAY? KIDS ARE VERY NEW AND OUT OF THIS WORLD IF I WERE YOU CONSULT A DOCTOR. GOOD LUCK

Answer 7

It begins as a comfort thing. Suckling is comfort. Can't suckle any more... The THUMB! After a while, it becomes more of a habit. So, on that premise, try and find something that occupies both hands and gives him comfort.

Answer 8

Nail polish

Answer 9

nail polish remover....i had a problem bitting my nails and that worked great.