Blog – Tagged "The Thumb Guard Store"

Hand biting - why does it happen?

by Jayne Schembri May 28, 2023

Hand biting is a common behaviour in which an individual bites or chews on their own hands or fingers. This behaviour is typically seen in children, but it can also occur in adults. Hand biting can be a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, boredom, or sensory needs, and it can lead to physical harm if left unchecked. In this blog, we'll explore the reasons behind hand biting, the potential consequences, and some strategies for managing the behaviour.

Posted in anxiety, behaviour, biting, boredome, chewing, chewing fingers, chewing hands, chews, habits, hand biting, hands, sensory issues, sensory needs, skin, stop habits, stress, teeth, The Thumb Guard Store

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Is thumb sucking the only cause of overbite?

by Jayne Schembri May 21, 2023

Overbite and open bite are common dental conditions that can affect people of all ages. While thumb sucking is often cited as a primary cause of these conditions, there are several other factors that can contribute to them as well. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the other causes of overbite and open bite and what you can do to prevent and treat them.

Posted in addiction, blocks, braces, breaking habits, child, crossbite, cuffed thumb guards, dental treatment, dentist, Difficulties breaking habits, finger guard, finger guards, finger sucking, fix, habit, habits, hard to stop, help, help to stop habits, malocclusion, oral, oral health, orthodontist, orthodontists, Overbite, overjet, parenting, psychological habits, The Thumb Guard Store, Thumb, thumb and finger guards

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Is my child a vigorous thumb sucker? - The signs to look for

by Jayne Schembri May 14, 2023

Thumb-sucking is a common habit among babies and young children. In fact, it is considered a normal part of their development and can be comforting for them. However, some children can develop a more intense form of thumb-sucking, which can lead to problems with dental and speech development. In this blog, we will discuss how to tell if your child is a vigorous thumb sucker and what steps you can take to help them break the habit.

Posted in addiction, baby, baby guards for thumb sucking, breaking habits, child, comfort, comfort habits, cuffed thumb guards, dentist, Difficulties breaking habits, end thumb sucking, factors, finger, finger guard, finger guards, finger sucking, habit, habits, hard to stop, help, help to stop habits, oral, oral health, orthodontist, Overbite, overjet, saliva, soothing, Stop thumb sucking, suck, sucking, The Thumb Guard Store, Thumb, thumb and finger guards, thumb guard, Thumb Guards, Thumb Sucking, Thumb Sucking stop

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Six Steps to Creating a Reward Chart for Your Child

by Jayne Schembri April 22, 2023

Six Steps to Creating a Reward Chart for Your Child

A reward chart can provide a positive incentive for a child to break a habit, as well as encourage good behaviour in other areas of their life. Here are our six steps to help you make one for your child.

Posted in Create a reward chart, Difficulties breaking habits, end thumb sucking, habit, habits, hard to stop, help to stop habits, How to use a reward chart, Make a reward chart, Reward Charts, The Thumb Guard Store, Thumb Sucking, Thumb Sucking stop

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Our Best Tips for Helping Children End Habits

by Jayne Schembri March 26, 2023

Our Best Tips for Helping Children End Habits

When long term or persistent habits leave a child with bald patches, a visible overbite or areas of broken skin on their hands, the habits can also lead to social and developmental issues. Understandably, if there are no major factors that might be influencing the habit, such as grief or trauma, parents may decide to encourage their child to end their habit. Here we give our best tips for helping children stop habits and reduce the associated risks.

Posted in child, crossbite, dental treatment, dentist, disorder, factors, finger, finger guard, finger guards, finger sucking, glove, habit, habits, hair, hair-pulling, Hand washing, help, malocclusion, oral, orthodontist, orthodontists, Overbite, overjet, parenting, risks of thumb sucking, stop, sucking, teeth, The Thumb Guard Store

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Choosing the right thumb guard for your child

by Jayne Schembri March 20, 2023

Thumb guards are a great tool to use when it is time to end thumb sucking. However, before choosing a thumb guard, you should familiarise yourself with your child’s habit. Children suck their thumbs and fingers in a variety of ways and for different reasons. Here are six points you should consider in order to select the best product for your child.

Posted in child, cuffed thumb guards, dental surgery, dental treatment, dentist, finger, finger guard, finger guards, finger sucking, guard, habit, habits, laundery, lowtemperatures, oral, orthodontist, orthodontists, overjet, pacifier, soothing, speech defects, teeth, The Thumb Guard Store, Thumb, thumb and finger guards, thumb guard, Thumb Sucking, treatment

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Lessons in Hand Washing

by Jayne Schembri March 13, 2023

Teaching children good hand washing habits - how we made it part of our home-schooling curriculum.

Posted in child, clean hands, cleaning, Covid-19, finger, finger sucking, Germs, good hygiene, habit, habits, Hand washing, Hand-Hygiene, home-schooling, how germs spread, how to wash hands, parenting, risks of thumb sucking, soap and water, spreading germs, sucking, The Thumb Guard Store, Thumb Sucking, viruses, washing

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How I gave up thumb-sucking - an interview with Jack, aged 14

by Jayne Schembri March 6, 2023

How I gave up thumb-sucking - an interview with Jack, aged 14

Hi Jack, can you tell me some things about yourself? Yes, my actual name is Jackson, but I'm known as Jack. I live in London, in the U.K and I'm ...

Posted in baby, dental surgery, dental treatment, dentist, risks of thumb sucking, teenager, teeth, The Thumb Guard Store, Thumb, thumb guard, Thumb Guards, Thumb Sucking

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Washing your thumb guards? - Keep it cool

by Jayne Schembri February 23, 2023

we recommend hand washing your thumb guards and finger guards at low temperatures using a detergent designed for cool or hand hot water. There are several reasons for this. Find out why here...

Posted in baby guards for thumb sucking, cleaning, cool wash, laundery, lowtemperatures, stains, The Thumb Guard Store, thumb and finger guards, Thumb Guards, Thumb Sucking, washing

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Our Child's Addiction - a $7000 habit part 3

by Jayne Schembri June 20, 2022

Our child's addiction- a $7000 habit. The Orthodontist's plan of treatment for our son's teeth and jaw. Fixing the damage following r son's long term thumb sucking habit. A look at the treatment and costs.

Posted in braces, crossbite, dental surgery, dental treatment, dentist, elastics, finger sucking, habits, malocclusion, orthodontists, Our Story, Overbite, overjet, retainer wires, retainers, risks of thumb sucking, speech defects, teeth, The Thumb Guard Store, twinblocks, x-rays

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Our child's addiction -a $7000 habit part 2

by Jayne Schembri June 15, 2022

Following several months of patiently waiting for our son's final baby teeth to fall out, the x-rays have now been taken and the orthodontists report has arrived. This is why we make thumb guards!

Posted in crossbite, dental treatment, dentist, finger sucking, habits, malocclusion, orthodontists, Our Story, Overbite, overjet, parenting, risks of thumb sucking, speech defects, teeth, The Thumb Guard Store, Thumb Guards, Thumb Sucking, x-rays

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7 points to help your child stop thumb sucking

by Jayne Schembri February 28, 2022

There is debate worldwide concerning the correct age to discourage sucking habits, ranging from three to five years. Some experts advise intervention at three years because the practice limits social development and speech for some toddlers. Others feel it is reasonable for a child to suck their thumb or fingers until they reach five years. Ultimately, parents who recognize and understand their child's needs better than anyone must decide the best time to encourage an end to the habit.

Having made that decision what are the best ways to help your child break the habit? Read our 7 points to help your child stop thumb sucking

Posted in finger guards, finger sucking, habits, malocclusion, Overbite, parenting, teeth, The Thumb Guard Store, Thumb Guards, Thumb Sucking

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