Persistent thumb sucking can lead to speech problems such as lisping and imprecise pronunciation.
Our Thumbsucking clinic is designed to offer advice and help parents and children wishing to break the habit in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Thumbsucking Clinic
The Metamorphosis solution to thumb sucking.
Metamorphosis orthodontics are pleased to announce the launch of London's first ever 'Thumb Sucking Clinic' which has been set up to provide specialist treatment to treat the effects of thumbsucking for children over the age of 6 when permanent teeth start to come through.
Thumb sucking can have the following effects on the mouth and teeth:
Upper front teeth stick out
Lower front teeth move inward
Open bite where the upper and lower front teeth do not meet
Narrowing of the structure of the upper jaw which leads to the development of a crossbite (where the teeth do not meet but cross in front or behind one another)
Sucking the thumb is considered normal behaviour for babies and may even start in the womb. However, according to The American Dental Association, if it continues beyond the age of 3 or 4, it can have a negative effect on developing teeth and jaw. In fact, prolonged thumbsucking can lead to serious dental and speech problems. Research shows that greater than 60% of 10 year old thumb suckers have serious misalignment of their teeth.
Persistent thumb sucking can lead to speech problems such as lisping and imprecise pronunciation. Once the habit has been stopped natural improvement of the teeth can occur.
At Metamorphosis we believe prevention is better than cure. Our Thumb sucking clinic is designed to offer advice and help parents and children wishing to break the habit in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Breaking the habit early can prevent a child from having a lengthy course of orthodontic treatment later on which may or may not involve extraction of teeth.
Our Solution:
The Metamorphosis solution to thumb sucking initially involves discussion about the habit with the child and parent. The orthodontist may prescribe the use of a thumb (or finger) guard which is designed to prevent or interrupt thumb sucking. This is worn for a period of about a month and has a very good success rate.
Another option is a simple device called a 'Dental Crib'. This is fitted by the orthodontist on the child's upper teeth and usually stops the habit on the first day of use.
Contact us today to book your consultation 020 773 11077
BBC Radio London Show
Listen to Dr Runa Mowla-Copley's interview with Vanessa Feltz on BBC Radio London Show, discussing Metamorphosis' Thumbing Sucking Clinic and its approach to solving issues around thumbing sucking.
Interesting Facts
A child often sucks their thumb when they are tired, upset or bored as it is both therapeutic and soothing.
Three quarters of infants suck their thumb in their first year.
Specialists believe that thumb sucking is borne out of the necessity of breastfeeding.
Fictional characters often seen sucking their thumb are Peanuts and Prince John (in Walt Disney's Robin Hood).
Thumb sucking can also create lesser problems such as chapped lips, cracked skin, calluses and finger nail infections.
Read more about Thumb sucking in the Telegraph...
