A cousin of mine use to suck her thumb when she was really little. She stopped as she got older, but now she's in her teens and is starting to suck her thumb again. I know that if you suck your thumb when you're younger, a lot of people need braces because of it. But if you're older and you start it again, will it still mess up your teeth? And if not, is there anything 'wrong' with doing it?
2007-09-14 12:32:09 · 5 answers · asked by That one girl 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
I sucked my thumb until I was 12. I never did it when anyone could see me though. I finally realized I was too old and had to kick the habit. It was hard but I did it. I never needed braces. I'm 45 years old now. I think it's ok for your cousin to suck her thumb if it helps her relief stress. I hope she doesn't do it in front of people...they might mock her. Teens years can be very hard and kids turn to lots of ways to cope. Alot of them are unhealthy....drugs, alcohol, getting into trouble at school, gangs. eating disorders, self-injury, etc. Thumb- sucking is not going to hurt her or anyone else.
Some adults bite or chew on their fingers and fingernails. I think they might do that for the same reasons a person might suck their thumb.
I heard an interview with Mandissa from American Idol. She confessed that she stopped sucking her thumb when she was 25 years old.
Don't worry about your cousin, there's nothing 'wrong" with doing it.
She's blessed to have a cousin like you that cares...
2007-09-14 12:47:49 · answer #1 · answered by mom123 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My old boss sucked her thumb. She sucked her left one while she was writing and her right one the rest of the time - she's 30+ and has very similar shaped teeth as Josie! One of my granddaughters only stopped when she was 16 !
2016-05-19 22:07:06 · answer #2 · answered by miriam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a sensory thing. Probably comforting. Maybe she's a little more stressed right now.
There's nothing wrong with her sucking her thumb.
2007-09-14 13:00:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sure, it can still mess your teeth up. And the older you are, the harder it can be to straighten them. Also it looks kind of dumb, and think of the germs that are on your hands.
2007-09-14 12:37:44 · answer #4 · answered by Questing 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It can cause your teeth to move, if continued. As to being right or wrong, at that age, it is to the individual to decide.
2007-09-14 12:39:12 · answer #5 · answered by Beau R 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋