Sucking habits, such as thumb or finger sucking and pacifier use, have been a major concern in pediatric dentistry for more than 50 years. These habits are common among preschool-age children, sometimes persisting through the school-age years. To prevent structural damage to the permanent teeth, sucking habits should stop between the age of four and when the upper permanent teeth erupt. 
    Persistent and prolonged sucking habits are directly related to a host of physical characteristics in children. These include: 
    Anterior open bite – where the front, upper and lower teeth do not come together;
    Increased overjet – where the upper front teeth protrude outward, beyond the lower teeth, in a horizontal direction;
    Increased risk of trauma – due to the protrusive positioning of the upper front teeth;
    Speech problems – stemming from the inability to pronounce certain sounds;
    External root resorption – where the excessive forces caused by sucking habits result in the ‘wearing away’ of the roots of affected teeth.
    So how do we stop the sucking habits? It requires persistence and commitment from all parties involved: patient, parents and dentist. The best results occur when the child wants to stop the habit. 
    Pacifier use is generally considered to be the easiest habit to break, by simply discarding the pacifier.
    The treatment of digit sucking habits is resigned to three categories: reminder, reward, or appliance therapy. Reminder therapy includes distracting a child when they engage
in the habit, or painting the finger or
fingernail with an unpleasant-tasting substance (pickle juice, vinegar, etc.)
    Reward therapy involves positive reinforcement by the parents, the dentist and a willing child who is rewarded for success. Often reminder and reward therapies are used together, giving more control and a sense of responsibility to an interested and willing child.
    The last and most expensive form is appliance therapy. It is generally regarded as the last resort, as it is employed when the other approaches have failed. This includes removable thumb or finger-guards and custom-made habit appliances that can be removable or bonded (fixed) in place. These appliances both remind and prevent the child from sucking their thumb or finger. 
    In short, parents and patients should be warned of the long-term effects of sucking habits in children, but should not fight the battle alone. Alert your pediatric dentist to help “kick” your child’s habit and to carefully monitor the development of the teeth and jaws.