When should thumbsucking stop?
Children should have stopped thumbsucking by the time the permanent teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, children stop between the ages of two and four years old. Sucking often lessens as the child spends more of their waking hours exploring their surroundings. Peer pressure causes many school-age children to stop.
Children should have ceased thumbsucking by the time the permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, children stop between the ages of two and four years. Sucking often gradually lessens during this period as children spend more of their waking hours exploring their surroundings. Peer pressure causes many school-aged children to stop. Some studies show that thumbsucking behavior is viewed negatively by classmates. Children with these behaviors may have more problems making friends.
