Thumb sucking 8 year old

[Madsometimes]

We went to see the orthodontist yesterday, and the bottom line is my 8 year old HAS to stop sucking her thumb. It has already done a lot of damage to her jaw, and will do more if unchecked.

Needless to say, we have tried the nail varnish, sticking plasters and socks on hands. She just takes them off. She mainly sucks her thumb at night, so she is not always aware of removing them. I have just forked out a whole load of cash on a Thumb Guard. Does anyone know if this product works in older children?

She does want to stop, and does not suck her thumb during day. She does it when she is tired at the end of the day or asleep in bed. I think the problem is beyond her conscious control. Any ideas or support would be gratefully received

I sucked my thumb until I was 11 (not in the day then either) and stopped only when the orthodontist said he wouldn't treat me unless I stopped. Given that by that stage I looked like Bugs Bunny and got teased about it I took the hint.... but nothing worked up until then.

The orthodontist gave me a brace for the day and one for night that made it a physical impossibility to suck my thumb at night (big pink piece of plastic that made me look like a boxer with a gum shield in sort of thing)

Good luck with it......my dh still sucks his thumb when he's tired and he is 34 ......

Madhair, I really do feel for you and your LO. My d1 calls her thumb sucking her biggest secret. She has confided in some of her best friends and there is at least one other thumb sucker in her class. I think they all know, she does suck her thumb by day, just not all the time, often in front of TV.

Last night she fell asleep at 10 o'clock. She was up by 6am. I hope her behaviour is alright in school, she does not do overtired very well and she has a cold.

I bought a thumb guard for my 5 year old as it was causing speech problems for him. He stopped within a week. It wsa brilliant and actually worth the vast amount of money I spent on it - the mere threat of it now has him concentrating as hard as he can on not sucking!

My DS-12 will not stop sucking his thumb. We've tried everything. He's embarrassed of it and doesn't want his friends to know, but any time he's home, he sticks it in. He really doesn't seem to want to stop. Next year, he will be getting a brace - hopefully he'll stock then.

Sorry, not got any advice but I am glad to see that I am not the only thumb sucker in their 30's on here! I did stop for about 25 years but seem to recently have started again...how odd.

Another thumbsucking 30 something here Just never gave it up, no chance of giving it up now. It clearly is a bit embarrassing, I do it without even realising. I'm dreading the day one of my DS's mention it to the in-laws who don't know I do this despite having been with DH for 14 years

My dentist has never said anything about the state of my teeth and obviously I'm not going to admit to him I still suck my thumb.

i was a fervent thumb sucker, attempts to stop me made me miserable. i recently discussed it with my dentist as dd is a thumb sucker. she reckons it makes no difference. dd is going to need work anyway cos like me she will have a crowded mouth.

An update: The thumb guard did arrive but we have not used it. She has stopped sucking her thumb by using socks on hands

I never thought it would be possible. Last week was not a good week for her. She was very over tired and cranky, but she has done it. Her front teeth have even started growing a bit (she lost her baby front teeth 18 months ago, but her adult teeth have never been able to grow down!)

So good news from here. Still have socks on hands at night, but no tape needed.

Im having difficulty with my daughter with sucking her thumb of a nighttime, she is 6 and i have tryed everything from horrid tasting nail polish, plasters, gloves, rewards and even purfume! I am really at a loose end!!
Her top teeth are wobbly and i dont want her new teeth to come through wonky! Ive heard some of u say about buying something that goes on her finger, where can i get this from and how much does it cost PLEASEE!! Many thanks if u can help please. x

my son is 9 years old and i have tried a thumb guard but it did not work for my son as he could actually get the thumb guard off how ever tight i put the thumb guard on, i am for ever searching for the answer to stop my son thumb sucking i have tried most things but none have worked, i hope that you have more luck with th thumb guard than i have had.

what age should you try to stop them from sucking their thumbs?
dd is 18months and sucks hers when going to sleep ot watching tv [so we try not to let her watch much tv]
and also if shes feeling shy.
should i just let her do it now, or try and stop her? if so how?

I've been reading the thread as dd1 (7) and ds (6) both suck their thumbs, having googled thumbguard I'm more than a little stunned by the price £54 !!!

I'm starting with socks!

Hello - anyone still reading this thread?

I'm interested in the Thumbguard option for my 6 year old son having exhausted the other options. From the website, it looks like you get 2 in a pack plus a bunch of bracelets. Anyone prepared to sell me their spare one? He's probably a medium as he's generally skinny.

Thanks, Naomi

"Clinical studies have shown that appliances such as thumb guards can be 90% effective in breaking the thumb or finger sucking habit. Rather than use bitterants or piquants, which are not endorsed by the ADA due to their causing of discomfort or pain"
www.kids-thumb-guard.co.uk

Recently i came across cotton fabric thumbguard from India...very reasonable cost and effective at lease in daughter's case..u can try it if u want to...can find it on olx/quikr with thumbguard brand name

Why would ANYONE (kashish) resurrect a 6 year old thread??