- 1). Locate the root cause of your thumb sucking. It might be a habit or something that you do in times of stress, says Dental Health Site. Thumb sucking is considered a nervous habit, so learn more about when and why you do it. Sometimes if you're aware of the reasons, it's easier to stop and find a different, healthier coping mechanism.
- 2). Wrap a cloth around your thumb, or place a glove over your hand to discourage yourself from sucking your thumb, says Dental Health Site. The cloth eliminates the pleasure you'd normally derive from thumb sucking and will force you to pause each time your thumb automatically goes to your mouth.
- 3). Put some spicy material like cayenne pepper on your thumb. It will taste nasty, and you'll reconsider each time you get the urge to suck your thumb. There are products available like "Mavala stop" that is intended to aid in stopping the thumb-sucking habit. These products are applied to the thumb and have a very bitter taste, says Gagazine.
- 4). Substitute the habit with a habit, says CBS News. As smokers often do to break their habit, if you substitute a sucker or a toothpick for your thumb, you might find you are able to stop the habit. These substitutes offer a solution that doesn't damage your mouth and aren't as embarrassing as sucking your thumb.
- 5). Sit in front of a mirror while sucking your thumb. This is a popular therapy with children that might work for you, according to Dental Health Site. Do this daily. Eventually, you might feel embarrassed or think that it looks silly enough for you to stop doing it.
- 6). See an orthodontist to get a palatal crib. A crib is a type of brace that sits permanently on the upper teeth and roof of your mouth. It is made of semicircular steel wires connected to steel bands or rings. The wires fit behind your upper front teeth, and the bands are attached to your upper molars. The crib is effective because it takes away the gratification that thumb sucking provides. The wires stop your thumb from touching your gums and turns thumb sucking into an unpleasant experience, which takes away your urge to continue, according to Health Mantra.
- 7). Go to counseling if none of these steps work. Sometimes it's impossible to stop the habit if there is an underlying psychological condition causing you to need the security thumb sucking provides, says Counseling Resource. Your doctor might offer options such as hypnotherapy or behavioral therapy, or learning anxiety reduction strategies to help treat the underlying stress associated with your thumb sucking.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Sign up here to get the latest news, updates and special offers delivered directly to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time
Prev Post
Next Post