It’s understandable to be concerned about your child when they display consistent signs of thumb and finger sucking.
While it seems a mundane and common action, thumb and finger sucking can have a negative impact on your child’s health when left unchecked. The health concerns regarding thumb sucking are only now becoming better known, which means many parents are left without essential knowledge until well after the fact. There are many tools available today that can help curb your child’s habit, such as the anti thumb sucking device and the T guard finger guard. If you’re not sure which one to use, or are wondering as to the health consequences, consider taking a few minutes and reading the list below.
Good habits are just as hard to break as bad habits. Here’s why you should consider buying a finger guard for kids.
Did You Know?
There are many good reasons to curb a thumb and finger sucking habit early on. The average person today carries over 3,000 bacteria on their hands. Children can have far more due to their still-developing hygienic habits, increasing their ability of getting sick or contracting viruses from constantly placing their hands in their mouth. A cultural study has also found teeth to be the second biggest insecurity for Americans after weight, the former of which can be negatively impacted by thumb and finger sucking.
Thumb And Finger Sucking Is Common
Many children today have the bad habit of sucking, chewing and nibbling on their thumb. This can be caused by stress, boredom or a mixture of the two. Studies have shown over 90% of babies to suck their thumb on reflex, though after the age of two a child will suck on their thumb more out of habit than instinct. Around 10% of children will continue thumb and finger sucking after the age of three, with this percentage shrinking to 5% beyond the age of five. Whether your child is one year old or three, it’s important to help them stop thumb sucking before side-effects start to show.
Children Can Develop Overbites And Underbites
A major issue that can arise from thumb and finger sucking is a negative impact on the teeth. Recent dental studies have shown over 75% of children’s cases involving overbites and underbites having benefited greatly from early intervention. With a straight, bright smile considered one of the most appealing features a person can have, putting extra effort toward correcting this now will help your child’s self-esteem down the road. Around 80% of people who had their teeth straightened report having much higher confidence.
Finger Sucking Can Last For Years If Left Unchecked
It’s not just an increased probability for overbite and poor hygiene. Thumbsucking has also been known to cause speech impairments that can last for years. Over 5% of children will exhibit a speech disorder by the time they reach first grade, which can negatively impact their self-esteem and make it difficult for them to socialize. Thumb and finger sucking can seem benign, even forgettable, but it has consequences that can last well into adolescence. Help your child stop thumb sucking by investing in a device that curbs the urge.
An Anti Thumb Sucking Device Can Help
Updated information about the long-term impact of thumb and finger sucking have helped create multiple resources for parents to use. Thumbsucking appliances have proven extremely effective in curbing your child’s habit and helping them resist the urge. By the time your child reaches the age of four it’s highly advised by most dental professionals you discourage them from thumb sucking. The TGuard Aerothumb has a 90% probability of breaking your child’s thumb and finger sucking habit, particularly when used consistently.
From overbites to speech impairments, there are more consequences than you realize when your child has a thumb sucking habit. Help them nip it in the bud with a TGuard Classic.
