THUMB SUCKING CHILDREN RISK
Thumb sucking children risk
protruded teeth, speech
impairment – Expert
April 13, 2016
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A consultant paediatrician, White Waters
Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Arinola Aduloju, on
Wednesday said babies who suck their thumbs
were likely to have speech impairment and dental
malocclusion in the future.
Aduloju said although babies usually have natural
sucking reflexes, it could cause them to put their
thumbs or fingers into their mouths even before
birth.
He said, “Thumb sucking is a common habit in
children, it makes babies feel secure while some
might eventually develop a habit of thumb
sucking when they’re in need of soothing or going
to sleep.
“When a child sucks his or her thumbs, she tends
to have some dental malocclusion problems such
that the teeth might push forward and will not
align as they are supposed to be in the future.
“Another negative effect is that it may make them
have difficulty in their speech and may find it
hard to pronounce some sounds that could be
coming from their mouth.
“Also the child may be swallowing some germs
because he or she puts the hand in the mouth
without washing.”
Aduloju added, “They also tend to stay alone and
eat less because they have found comfort in
sucking their thumbs.”
However, he cautioned that mothers’ attempt to
putting too much pressure on such child to stop
thumb sucking would delay the process of
weaning.
He advised, “Instead, use a strategic idea to stop
it.
“Identify the reason he or she sucks. It may be
due to hunger, anger, frustration and stress, then
try to work on that act, luckily, it may stop them
from the act.
“Don’t scold, criticise or punish your child on the
act, rather promise to offer him or her gifts if he
or she stops thumb sucking.
“For some older ones, thumb sucking is an
incredibly difficult habit to break but always try
and tell them the health implication.’’
According to him, sometimes peer pressure may
also help them stop.
However, Aduloju advised parents not to worry
and should never put too much pressure on their
children to stop thumb sucking, saying such
attempt might only delay the process.
NAN
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