Many Youngsters Suck Their Thumbs  Many Youngsters Suck Their
Thumbs  Young children often suck on their thumbs. It's
perfectly normal, even though some parents fret about it. As
children get older, thumbsucking becomes less common, but a
small number of kids still suck their thumb at age 5 years old.
The habit is typically harmless if the child does it
occasionally, such as during "tuck in" at bedtime, or in
association with a stressful event.  When thumbsucking is a
problem  Older children who chronically suck their thumbs or
fingers may need guidance from parents or a dentist to stop the
habit. That's because the chronic sucking habit can cause the
child's permanent teeth to become crooked.  If you're not sure
what to say, discuss the matter with your dentist. If your child
is tapering off the thumb-sucking, there is probably no need for
treatment. That's particularly true if the child still has baby
teeth.  If the habit stops before the permanent teeth erupt,
dental problems are usually self-correcting.