Preparing questions in advance can help patients and parents have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding issues such as thumb-sucking. The following questions related to thumb-sucking may be helpful:

1. When should I become concerned about my child’s thumb-sucking?
   
   
2. What are the signs that my child is actively sucking his/her thumb, rather than letting it passively rest in the mouth?
   
   
3. We’re about to move to a new home – should we delay trying to get our child to stop sucking his thumb?
   
   
4. What signs should I look for that might indicate damage to my child’s palate or teeth?
   
   
5. What are the benefits of thumb-sucking for my child?
   
   
6. Should I consider a pacifier for my child? What are the pros and cons?
   
   
7. How can I encourage my child to cease thumb-sucking after the age of 4?
   
   
8. Should I use an over-the-counter agent to make my child’s thumb taste bitter?
   
   
9. Would my child be helped by a palatal bar?
   
   
10. My child still sucks his thumb at night. How will I know if that becomes a problem?
    
    
11. I think my child is sucking her thumb because of stress. How can I help her relieve her fears?