Instead of scolding children for thumb sucking, praise them when they are not.

Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure. Focus on correcting the cause of anxiety, instead of the thumb sucking. Children who are sucking for comfort will feel less of a need when their parents provide comfort.

Reward children when they refrain from sucking during difficult periods, such as when being separated from their parents.

Your dentist can encourage children to stop sucking and explain what could happen if they continue.

If these approaches don't work, remind the children of their habit by bandaging the thumb or putting a sock on the hand at night. Your dentist may recommend the use of a mouth appliance.