How can I stop sucking my thumb at night?

Question

Please only serious answers.
I have been sucking my thumb while I am sleeping since I was a baby. It's usually only when I am stressed about something and I do it in my sleep so I cannot stop myself. I got my braces off a few years ago and ever since my teeth are on a mission to be horribly crooked. Sucking my thumb has made my two front teeth protrude farther than the others (I have an over bite and cross bite also) and they actually make an imprint on my lip! How can I stop this habit? When I was younger I tried wearing a sock on my hand to bed but took it off while I was sleeping. Also, I have an over bite and cross bite. I have had this ever since I can remember. Could this have been caused from sucking my thumb since birth or is it just bad luck/genetics/whatever?

Answer 1

There are a number of ways to stop sucking your thumb. The simplest is the one you have tried - covering it up. You pulled the sock off - how about a bandage or one of the fabric band-aids such as elastoplast? Next is to make the thumb taste terrible - there is a solution you can paint on your nails for nail biters that is extremely bitter - that might work. It is available from your local drug store or pharmacy. The last and most expensive method is to have an appliance inserted by an orthodontist (or dentist) called a crib that attaches permanently to your maxillary first molars and puts a bar over your palate that impedes the access of the thumb so you can't suck on it.

To pull those front teeth back into alignment you may be able to accomplish this with a removeable appliance such as an active Hawley - talk to your dentist about this. The mere wearing of an appliance may be enough to keep your thumb out. On this note also, why haven't you been wearing your retainer? I'm sure you were given one to wear once your ortho was completed! If you need more major correction of your bite you might want to consider Invisalign now that you are older and presumeably more compliant.

Answer 2

You may have already considered the following:
Wear a rubber (latex) glove (medical variety, not 'Marigold'.) Unlike a sock, this would be difficult to remove at night. The taste may just be unpleasant enough to break the habit,
Use an unpleasant tasting substance (be careful not to use anything toxic) on your thumb. Years ago there was stuff called 'Bitter Aloes' but I'm not sure if it's still available.
Replace the thumb sucking. I know someone who still has a piece of blanket they cuddle! You could try holding a soft piece of material - not ideal but at least it wouldn't be detrimental to your dental aesthetics.
If all this fails I think hypnotherapy could really be the answer. Find a reputable hypnotherapist and have a chat with her/him. The mind is very powerful and it's surprising what can be achieved with this treatment. This can also help with alleviating your stress with relaxation therapy.
Very best of luck. Don't let anyone laugh at you - habits started in childhood are extremely difficult to break.

Answer 3

i used to suck my thumb since i was a baby also and i just stopped...when i was 11 or so....me and my mom and my dentists had been trying for years to get me to stop and nothing worked. my mom made me sleep with socks and gloves on but i would take them off in the middle of the night and she also tried hot sauce....but that was a bad idea...i cant eat anything with out hot sause any more....but eventually i just stopped on my own. so if none of those things work for you...then just wait a little bit...its just a phase [a really long one] and it'll go away

Answer 4

There used to be a product on the market to paint your thumbs (and fingernails)with to stop the habit. You might coat them with something that you really hate the taste of before you go to bed.

Answer 5

o0o0h i had an embarasing habit tooo wen i went to sleep, very similar to yours, welllllll i figure you should use that speacial liquid you can fins at the pharmacy, put it on your fingers, and then wen u put ur thumb in your mouth, it will taste sik, it really works, scientificlly, thats why its bought for loads of habits to be stopped, like biting your nails

hope it helps, just ask the pharmacy the medicin that tasts disgusting that you put on your fingers to stop a habit ;)