Thumb, finger and dummy sucking are common childhood habits. For many children, sucking provides comfort, helps with self-regulation and can be an important part of early development. However, when a sucking habit continues as a child grows, it can begin to influence the way the tongue, lips, teeth and jaw function and develop.

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At our Fraser, Canberra clinic, we provide assessment and support for children with persistent thumb, finger and dummy sucking habits.​

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We can assess oral habits at any age. Habit minimisation strategies can be introduced from around 3 years of age, while a comprehensive oral habit cessation program generally begins from 5 years of age, when children are more developmentally ready to actively participate in therapy.

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Jaimee has completed dedicated clinical training through Thumbsucking Professionals in the assessment and treatment of oral habits. Happy Faces is currently the only ACT practice listed in the Thumbsucking Professionals directory.

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Why do children suck their thumb, finger or dummy?

 

Sometimes the habit is a symptom, not the whole problem.

 

A persistent oral habit can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying issue rather than simply a behaviour that needs to be stopped. There may be a number of factors contributing to why the habit has continued or making it difficult for a child to stop. Understanding what may be contributing to the habit is an important part of determining the most appropriate approach.

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Can oral habits affect the teeth and facial development?

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The effect of an oral habit depends on factors such as the type of habit, frequency, duration, intensity and the individual child's oral and facial development.

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Persistent sucking habits may contribute to changes such as:

• Changes in the position of the front teeth

• Increased overjet

• Anterior open bite

• Changes in the shape or development of the palate

• Altered tongue resting posture

• Changes in tongue and lip function

• Changes in the way the teeth come together

 

Not every child who sucks their thumb, finger or dummy will develop these changes, and the effects can vary considerably between individuals.

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The earlier persistent habits are identified, the more opportunity there is to understand the contributing factors and determine whether intervention is appropriate.

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When should you seek help?

 

There is no single age at which every child should stop sucking. For some children, the habit naturally disappears. For others, intervention may be helpful when the habit is becoming persistent, affecting oral function or beginning to influence dental development.

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You may wish to consider an assessment if your child:

• Continues to suck their thumb, finger or dummy beyond the early childhood years

• Sucks frequently during the day

• The habit has become difficult to interrupt or change despite attempts at home

• Relies heavily on sucking to settle or sleep

• Has difficulty stopping despite wanting to

• Has developed changes in their teeth or bite

• Has previously tried to stop but the habit has returned

• Becomes distressed or highly anxious when the habit is discussed

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An assessment can help determine whether the habit itself is the main concern or whether there are other health, oral, functional or developmental factors that need to be considered.

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Our approach to oral habit cessation

 

At Happy Faces, we don't believe that simply telling a child to "stop sucking" is enough.

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Successful habit cessation requires more than removing the behaviour. We first need to understand the individual child, their habit and the factors that may be contributing to or maintaining it.

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Our approach is based on assessment and individualised treatment planning, rather than using the same strategies for every child.

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Our approach may include:

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01 - Assessment

We assess the habit, oral structures and function, as well as relevant developmental and contributing factors.

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02 - Understanding the habit

We look at when, where and how the habit occurs and consider the factors that may be contributing to or maintaining it.

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03 - Habit minimisation

For younger children, or when full cessation is not yet appropriate, we can introduce strategies designed to reduce the frequency and impact of the habit.

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04 - Cessation

For children who are developmentally ready, we work together to establish an individualised plan for reducing and ultimately stopping the habit.

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Our programs are individualised to the child, with strategies adapted to their age, personality, motivation and family circumstances.

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What happens at an oral habit assessment?

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An oral habit assessment allows us to look beyond the sucking behaviour and understand the individual child.

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We may assess:

• The type and frequency of the habit

• When and where the habit occurs

• Tongue resting posture

• Lip posture and function

• Swallowing patterns

• Dental and bite changes

• Oral and facial muscle function

• Relevant breathing patterns

• Other factors that may be contributing to or maintaining the habit

 

The goal isn't simply to stop the habit.

The assessment helps us understand what may be making cessation difficult and determine the most appropriate treatment sequence.

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Habit minimisation from age 3

 

Children under 5 are generally not yet developmentally ready to participate in a full Thumbsucking Professionals habit cessation program. From around 3 years of age, we can assess the habit and introduce appropriate minimisation strategies where indicated.

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The aim at this stage may be to reduce the frequency or circumstances in which the habit occurs, while helping the child develop alternative ways of meeting the underlying need.

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Early intervention doesn't necessarily mean asking a young child to stop immediately. Sometimes, the first step is simply understanding the habit and beginning to change the pattern.

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Comprehensive habit cessation from age 5

 

From around 5 years of age, many children are developmentally better equipped to actively participate in a structured habit cessation program.

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At this stage, therapy can involve greater participation from the child, including increasing awareness of the habit, identifying patterns that may be maintaining it, developing alternative strategies and working towards cessation.​

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What if the habit is a symptom of something else?

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An oral habit doesn't always exist in isolation.

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For some children, sucking may be connected with health concerns, regulation, sleep, breathing, oral function or another underlying need. Understanding what is contributing to the habit is an important part of deciding how — and when — to intervene.

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Sometimes the best recommendation is to address factors that are contributing to or maintaining the habit rather than simply aiming to stop it. Where appropriate, we may refer to other health professionals to address contributing factors.

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Why families choose Happy Faces

 

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Case Studies

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Example of dental changes observed following cessation of a persistent sucking habits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individual results vary. These images represent the experience of individual clients and are not a guarantee of the outcome another child may achieve.