Anti-thumb and Finger Sucking Solutions

There are a number of anti-thumb and finger sucking solutions both on the market and ‘DIY’ methods that parents can create at home.

Most children stop sucking naturally between three and six years of age but those who don’t can face dental problems such as overbite, protruding teeth, malformed palate and speech problems.  Many of these issues require dental intervention which can be both painful and intrusive.

We don’t want your child to get to that stage, so we have researched the market to compare anti-thumb sucking devices that are available to you to help your child to stop sucking.

Here are the most common solutions that parents try:

Crochet Thumb Guard

This US solution is made from wool, these thumb guards come in a range of colours. They slip over the hand and cover just the thumb. They are handmade in 100% wool and come in a small range of colours and come as either thumb or finger guards.

Customise gloves or mittens

An inexpensive homemade remedy is to customise a child’s own gloves or mittens, by removing the part of the garment that the child does not suck, leaving the digit that is sucked, covered up.

Fabric Thumb Guard with Velcro

100% cotton fabric thumb guard that fits like a glove over the thumb or fingers and is secured around the wrist with Velcro. The glove is made to measure and can be purchased in a fabric of the child’s choice as seen on the website. It can be used as either a thumb or finger guard to deter sucking of any finger.  Thumbsie® make these, they come with a free reward certificate and are based in the UK.

Nail Liquid

Foul tasting nail liquid which can be painted on to the digit that is sucked to deter the child from sucking either a finger or thumb as the foul taste discourages them from putting their digit into their mouth. Available from Amazon.

Plasters and Bandaging

It is possible to wrap a plaster or bandage around the finger or thumb that is sucked which creates a physical barrier between the mouth and the digit.

Plastic Thumb Guard

Made from soft flexible plastic, this anti-thumb sucking device fits over and securely fastens to the thumb of either hand. It works by breaking the vacuum created when sucking the thumb, ensuring a small gap between the child’s thumb and the guard which allows air to flow making it impossible to suck. The child will still be able to put their thumb in their mouth but not have the ‘sucking sensation’. One company that provides these is Thumbguard UK.

Thumb Glove with Buttons

These are stretchy fabric gloves that fit over the majority of the hand including the thumb. They come in different colours and have an adjustable strap. These are available from Glovey Huggey in America.

These solutions are available to everyone, but reading our parent testimonials leaves us convinced that the Thumbsie® fabric thumb guard is the most effective and positive approach to thumb sucking.  The variety of fabrics, the correct sizing, the success certificate really help with the quick success rate.