Management of Non-Nutritive Or Digit Sucking Habits in Children- A Practical Approach

Resident’s Name: Laura Randazzo Sabnani Date:  May 1, 2009

Article title:  Management of Non-Nutritive Or Digit Sucking Habits in Children- A Practical Approach

Author(s): Morley K, McIntyre T

Journal:  Journal of Pediatric Dentistry

Volume (number):60:11

Month, Year:  November 1994

Major topic / Main purpose: To review reasons for and treatment for cessation of non-nutritive or digit habits in children

Methods and Materials:    N/A

Result/Summary:  There are two different views regarding thumbsucking.  The psychoanalytical believe that if digit sucking continues past age 4 it is indicative of an underlying psychological disturbance.  The behavioral theorist believe that digit sucking is a learned habit with no underlying emotional or psychological cause.  The negative effects of thumb sucking are increased overjet, anterior open bite, and posterior crossbite.  These are dependant on the intensity, duration, and frequency of habit.  This article advises that a digit habit should be ignored until age 4.  At that time the societal background should be investigated because children coming from an unstable home environment the digit sucking is a sense of security for them.  The presence of other habits needs to be addressed and caution should be used when stopping the digit habit.  School and peer relationships should be address and stopping a habit should not be initiated when a child first starts a new school.   Family employment status should be reviewed and evaluted if there is recent increased stress for the family.  To stop the habit behavior modification should be initiated.  The child should be shown models and photographs of children who have stopped their digit habit.  The parents are asked to place stars on a calender everytime a child stops sucking their thumb.  Appliance therapy can also be used in addition to behavior modification. The author recommends a fixed digit crib over a removable one.   

Assessment of article:  Good article with a great example of a handout to give to parents.