Thumb / finger sucking

- Thumb sucking is very bad for the teeth - a dummy is preferred because it can be thrown away
- Only when people want to stop sucking their thumb can we help them
- This is not age-appropriate behaviour - offering to buy a dummy which is less harmful could be a reminder of this
- The patient must be aware that it is unhygienic unless the hands are washed and the nails scrubbed before sucking
- Hopefully the hassle of cleaning hands and the awareness of the "dirty habit" will help stop the habit
- Wrap non-elastic gauze bandage loosely around the elbow at night so that keeping the elbow bent is uncomfortable