Why Some Continue To Suck Their Thumbs As Adults

Thumb sucking is a natural reflexive behaviour that helps babies calm down and learn how to eat. The majority of newborns exhibit sucking behaviour on their thumbs, fingers or toes within hours of birth. Many even suck their thumb internally.

Thumb sucking is common in infants, toddlers and toddlers. Many children stop sucking their thumbs when they reach school age. If they don't stop it then they may face thumb sucking teeth problems in their entire life. If your child already facing it then for ideas to get rid of this you may take help from thumb sucking teeth community.

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Others respond to mild parental distraction.

There are no specific data on how often thumb sucking continues in adolescence and adulthood. However, anecdotes suggest that there are plenty of adults who suck their thumbs – maybe even 1 in 10.

While most thumb suckers quit on their own in childhood, the percentage seems to have remained private over the decades. For some people, thumb sucking can even become a lifelong habit.

The reasons for this are not fully understood. Perhaps this behaviour offers comfort and reduces the fear of those who do it.

Although classified as benign, thumb sucking is not without side effects, especially for dental health.

Causes of thumb sucking as an adult

Thumb-sucking adults may find that this reduces anxiety and stress by helping them calm down.

It is possible for some adults who suck their thumbs to experience childhood trauma and during this time resort to calming behaviours. In some cases, these behaviours can easily be followed, making stress relievers accessible.

Thumb sucking can also be an almost accidental habit and works to relieve boredom and stress.

There is separate evidence that some people with trichotillomania, a condition characterized by an irresistible desire to remove scalp, eyebrows, or body hair, also fall on their thumbs.