Try a bandaid before going to the ortho. Keep it on for a couple weeks 24/7, then fade to just at night, then probs don’t need it anymore. When there’s a relapse, just put the bandaid back on for a few days.

Orally fixated not totally fixated

It’s not very common but my own sister is one. I think she was rather total fixated and she sucked on her thumb in bed till pretty late teens. Everything else was also often in her mouth from licking her coat collars when zipped up to her mouth, sweaters, pens, the tv remote etc. she concealed it well so that it is not obvious she is licking her coat but I knew when sometimes hanging up our coats, I come across fully soaked wet collars or if she sleeps downstairs, her fingers could be in her mouth. Don’t think our parents drew any attention to it but she is totally fine, successful in her work and now has kids of her own who also seem to have the same habit! Nail biting, collar chewing and the same habits she had or has!

My friend in Springfield has 2 kids - 1 in HS (10th grade) another going into 8th grade. 8th grader still sucks his finger (not thumb). Even when he was in 6th grade she posted a picture of him with his stuffed animal and sucking his finger. WtH? No special needs, but treat the kid like he's 5. Still do.

Anonymous wrote:Why is it such a problem? Get braces. Done.

+1

No big deal.

My late 30 yo brother did this. We did try everything to break him of the habit. His thumb became permanently flat due to years of sucking. He did it to cope and went private around middle school but in college, met a girl who sucked her opposite thumb. It was hilarious to see them both sucking their thumbs together. He never broke the habit but right before he died he told me he quit for a few years and then started up again 3 months before his death. FWIW, I was thumbing through the family albums and saw a sonogram of him with his thumb in his mouth even then.

Anonymous wrote:Mine was still doing it at 7-8. We tried a lot of other things first. His dentist put in an orthodontic appliance called a thumb guard for a few months. He could get his thumb in his mouth, but not really suck or use it to self sooth. Problem solved.

Much quicker, easier and less expensive than braces. Although a thumb sucker for that long probably needs braces too.

I got this appliance at age 8. It did the job real quick. Thankful now my parents did this.

Mine was still doing it at 7-8. We tried a lot of other things first. His dentist put in an orthodontic appliance called a thumb guard for a few months. He could get his thumb in his mouth, but not really suck or use it to self sooth. Problem solved.

Much quicker, easier and less expensive than braces. Although a thumb sucker for that long probably needs braces too.

I did too as it was self soothing. I sucked on my pencils and pens or my water bottle when I was in school. That was a bit much more common then thumbs. But it achieved the same thing. I still did it occasionally but it is far less common now. Maybe because I have just grown to cope.

Two of my younger cousins sucked their thumbs until 17 and 19. According to my Aunt, they stopped on their own. I wouldn't get all alarmed about it, though it is unusual. They both have straight teeth and no speech problems or emotional issues as young adults.