The sight of a child thumb sucking is to some people a picture of innocence. Britain's first "thumb sucking clinic" is promising to deter children from a habit that can damage teeth and jaw growth. Orthodontists who say they have treated hundreds of patients with buck teeth and jaw alignment problems caused by prolonged thumb sucking have founded the Metamorphosis Centre in London. Most children stop the habit between the age of 3-6 years of age but those who continue the habit until after the permanent front teeth have erupted could have problems later in life. The new clinic has developed a number of devices designed to discourage the habit before any problems arise as a child grows up. The founder of the clinic said "often parents worry about prolonged thumb sucking and it is important to educate both parent and child at an early stage and work out what action to take".

Comment from Doctor Dental

Thumb sucking and the use of "comforters" in a baby or very young child are common. A thumb (or finger) is usually put into the mouth when boredom or tiredness prevails towards the end of the day. It is not an issue until it becomes a common feature during the day and is still very obvious past 5 years of age. At this stage the permanent front teeth are nearing eruption and the last thing they need is to find a thumb or finger in the way. Their eruption can be delayed or more worryingly their natural positions will be deflected and this can lead to an unnatural bite (malocclusion). A clue to impending problems can usually be diagnosed if the deciduous front teeth do not meet correctly. In children who have a very "active" habit the suction can often be heard and the jaw growth as a result will be adversely affected. The thumb can sit in the palate and form an impression within the soft and hard tissue structure which can be very difficult to resolve at a later date. There will often be speech problems with an inability to seal the lips properly. Habitual thumb suckers may be detected in later years with a lisping speech defect and poorly aligned front teeth. If parents become alive to an impending problem early on it is relatively easy to break the habit. It is important at school age to inform teachers of concerns.