Thumb sucking.

Malocclusion of the developing dentition, the major complication of thumb sucking, usually corrects spontaneously if thumb sucking ceases by six years of age. Thumb sucking in a child less than two years of age requires no treatment. In a three- to four-year-old child, thumb sucking may be secondary to changes in the child's emotional environment, and treatment should be directed at correcting the underlying problem. Thumb sucking that persists beyond the age of six years should be treated. Behavioral conditioning techniques, positive reinforcement and dental appliances are important aspects of treatment.