The end of finger sucking?

I was dreading the dentist. I knew that he would comment yet again on how my 4 1/2-year-old should not suck her fingers.

I also knew I didn't have a plan to combat this habit -- apart from the occasional “serious” discussions about my daughter's future beauty and other equally unsuccessful activities.

However, this time the dentist had a plan...or at least tangible advice.

He produced a leaflet about thumb and finger guards which are sold in the UK and are apparently quite successful. Our dentist gave the product a resounding thumbs up and that’s all I needed.

I promptly went to Thumbguard and bought a finger guard for £49.99 plus the usual extras.

The finger guard is made of soft plastic and is held on near the wrist by a brightly coloured medical type band. It does not look cruel though maybe slightly unusual.

Putting on the finger guard was a two person operation. My husband and I had to “gently” hold our daughter’s fingers while putting on the flexible plastic guard.

Our daughter quickly figured out the plan and decided this was not for her. With a determined amount of wriggling and contorting her fingers she managed to extricate her hand from the guard within about 30 minutes.

We re-read the instructions and realised that we could put on the guard again and with a few more tweaks, it would likely stay on for longer.

At that point my daughter stated that she no longer wanted to suck her fingers.

Now, any time her fingers go near her mouth we just mention the finger guard or show her the box and she very adamantly says that she no longer sucks her fingers.

Could this really be the end of her finger sucking? Not entirely sure, but the first signs are very encouraging.

This post was written by Charlene, an Expat Mums Blog main contributor.

Photo credit: lab2112

Comments

[cosmetic dentistry pasadena]

Don't you know that finger sucking or thumb sucking can affect the alignment of teeth of kids? It is based on my own observation.

-heather-