Posted Jun 2, 2011
Thumb sucking is a natural habit which develops in babies during the period of infancy.
Many infants develop this habit even before their birth. This helps them adapt to the sucking maneuver well. And also indicates an instinctive signal to nutrition.
But it becomes a matter of serious concern if children continue this habit beyond three years of age. Usually kids give up this habit by the age of four or five but if they don’t, it becomes a source of anxiety for parents.
Dr Jaby Tom Jacob, Specialist Paedodontist at Aster’s Union Medical Centre, Karama, pointed out certain factors which are believed to push a child towards this habit.
“If a child’s feeding habits are not regular, the child could possibly develop the habit of thumb sucking as a reflection of his hunger. Also, anxiety, fear and neglect can precipitate this habit in growing children.”
“Thumb sucking doesn’t cause any damage up to three years but if the habit persists and the kid continues it beyond 5-6 years, it can then pose serious effects which can last lifelong and cause disturbed appearance of the kid.”
“The major discrepancy is protrusion of upper front teeth and intrusion of lower teeth which causes facial appearance to deteriorate,” said Dr Jaby.
He further added that it could cause improper closure of the mid palatal region and abnormal growth of the palate causing disturbed breathing and speech.
Dr Jaby said that thumb sucking habit is not a major issue in the UAE as the awareness and increased parental concern towards child’s appearance has decreased such incidents.
“Parents must consider it a very serious problem and take steps to stop their kid from thumb sucking. If it is because of emotional disturbance or anxiety, care and reassurance can help the kid leave this habit. Shouting or scolding the kid can make the kid even more anxious and it will become difficult for him/her to leave the habit.”
Another way to treat this habit is chemical intervention like application of lime or bitter substances on their thumb or finger which can prevent the kid from sucking on it.
The thumb can also be wrapped in a bandage or tape which can act as a reminder to the kid whenever he pus it in his mouth. Making the kid look at himself while sucking on thumb can make him kick the habit, he advised.
–news@khaleejtimes.com
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Copyright © 2011, Khaleej Times, Dubai, United Arab Emirates