What causes finger sucking?
Sucking is a normal, instinctive behavior that babies use to calm and soothe themselves. This may begin in-utero, although most babies begin sucking between 3 and 6 months when they have the motor skills to voluntarily put their fingers in their mouths. Toddlers may begin sucking by imitating siblings or other children in their preschool or day care settings.
What happens if sucking continues?
Dental Problems
Just like orthodontic appliances can reposition teeth, pressure applied by a finger can change the position of the teeth too. The most common types of bite problems associated with sucking are open bites, overjets, and crossbites.
Speech and Swallowing Problems
When the tongue pushes against or between the teeth rather than upward against the palate, a tongue thrust swallow occurs. Tongue thrust swallows are frequently related to "s" distortions or "lisps" and distortions of many other sounds as well.
Emotional Problems
Children who suck their fingers are often perceived by others to be emotionally insecure and immature. This can lead to a social stigma, a poor self image and possible problems with peer interaction.
Physical Problems
Side effects such as calluses, infections, and viruses are frequently caused by contaminated fingers in the mouth.
When should treatment begin?
Five and six year old children who have a desire to overcome their sucking habits are ideal candidates for treatment. By eliminating sucking early, associated problems can be minimized and sometimes reversed.
We can help
Through a program of positive behavior modification and reinforcement, most children will stop sucking after 3 weekly visits. They usually require 6-week and 6-month check-ups after that.
Treatment should be done by an oral facial myologist who has advanced training in digit sucking. The speech-language pathologists at Jodie K. Schuller & Associates have completed advanced training in tongue thrust and digit sucking and have helped many of these children.
What is the parent's role?
The parents' role is to provide empathy and support. The oral facial myologist and the program will motivate the children to accept responsibility for their finger sucking habits and eliminate them.