Still sucking thumb at 13

[EllisT]

I’m at my wits end. 13 son still sucks his thumb and cannot find a way for him to stop - bribery, encouraging to put tape on thumb when at home so it isn’t a comforting experience.

He needs to have brace but dentist won’t do this until he’s stopped the habit.

He only does it when not thinking but it’s such a habit that I really don’t know how he’s going to break it.

He says he wants to stop and never sucks his thumb when his friends come round so I know he can not do it in certain situations.

Any suggestions of how to help him break this habit?

Many thanks.

Thumb sucking is comforting and relaxing.
Could you help find another source of comfort? soft furry material to rub with his thumb instead or something.

He really has to want to stop himself and make the effort to do so but it is hard.

Bribing etc won't work as its a habit that is very difficult to break and there are loads of adult thumb suckers out there that keep it well hidden.

It will usually happen in its own time and he is more likely to stop once he is sleeping over with friends (or girlfriends when he is older) due to peer pressure. You could encourage him to get into a hobby that uses his hands as a distraction or a deterrent if its something that gets his hands dirty.

To be honest though I did it when I was young and it did affect my teeth. It gave me a bit of an overbite but as I stopped doing it as much they seemed to sort themselves out as I grew and i didn't need braces in the end. I still occasionally do it when I'm asleep or particularly upset...in private...and I'm in my 30s...my dh doesn't even know! The more you push it the more he is likely to hide it.

Sorry op im 52 and still suck mine, it's a comfort thing

Nothing my parents ever tried or threatened me with, made a difference

When I read the title of this I actually thought I had written it!

Same problem exactly here. At least they aren't alone I guess!

If you ever find the solution please pm me op.

My daughters both had to stop thumb sucking so they could get a brace. We used Pretty Quik Stop Nail Biting Polish. You can get it in superdrug. It tastes really bad but worked so quickly. Just stick the thumb in the pot and twist. It stays on for a good while.
I've recommended it to a colleague nail biter and it worked for her too.

Not for me though 😳

Could you show him some gross youtube video about bacteria ect...that lives on the human skin? Might put him off for a while.

Sure I heard it said there were more germs under one finger nail than on a whole toilet seat.

I sucked my thumb up until about 19 🙈. Nothing stopped me. My parents tried a glove, nail varnish etc. It's hard really as he's still only young and probably finds it a source of comfort. However I suppose its not great if its effecting his teeth. No advice really sorry but he'll most likely grow out of it.

He needs a replacement. I used to carry a ball in my pocket to fiddle with
Try choosing something and do the swap together

Rather than telling him he needs to stop, full stop, I would try asking him whether he thinks he could stop for a week. That sounds more manageable than stopping forever but may just be long enough to break the habit.

I think he has to want to stop though. I wanted to stop when I was 11 because I was ridiculed for it by my family. That sounds bad but I'm glad they did!

I would show him photos of what his teeth will look like if he doesn't, then tell him you are there to support him when he is ready.

My DD is nearly 13 and despite braces since 9, has not stopped. Even now , she manages to stick it in through fixed braces and elastics. Her overbite won't g until she stops but like you ,I've tried everything. I'm wondering if the draw of offering her the first three monthly payments of her brace for herself, when it comes off, might work.