Family Friendly & Specialty Dentists in London, UK
Our dental clinic located directly in Central London serves Habit-Breaking Appliances with our team of specialist dentists.
Our dentists serving Habit-Breaking Appliances treatments are registered specialist dentists in London, who are all registered with the GDC. Our Habit-Breaking Appliances treatments that we provide to City of London and Greater London Area residents are all approved under BDA, GDC and UK standard guidelines.
You can feel welcome and safe choosing London Dental Specialists for your Habit-Breaking Appliances in London. You have a full team of dental specialists behind you with a periodontist, orthodontist and endodontist which enables us to take care of your entire smile with any dental procedure necessary for your perfect smile. Don't just take our word for it, watch this video including our real Habit-Breaking Appliances patients as a testimony to our expertise:
Contact us and lets get started with helping your dental health and comfort with our Habit-Breaking Appliances treatments, and we can set up a consultation in which we plan our how our Habit-Breaking Appliances in London can best serve you.
At London Dental Specialists, our Habit-Breaking Appliances are designed to help patients overcome persistent oral habits that can negatively impact dental health. Our comprehensive treatment process includes an initial consultation and assessment, the creation of a customised treatment plan, precise fitting of the appliance, and dedicated post-treatment care. This structured approach ensures that each patient receives personalised care tailored to their specific needs, promoting optimal oral health outcomes.
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Principal Dentist & Specialist in Periodontics
BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) MSc(Rest Dent) MClinDent(Perio) MPerioRCS(Ed)
GDC No: 104071
Specialist in Endodontics
BDS MFDS RCS(Ed) FHEA MClinDent(Ed) MEndoRCS(Ed)
GDC No: 150517
Specialist in Orthodontics
DipDS Athens MS(Ortho) OSU
GDC No: 228487
Wondering about habit-breaking appliances for your child? At London Dental Specialists, we understand parents' concerns about thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting and lip-biting habits that can affect dental development. Our fixed and removable appliances are safe, effective solutions designed to gently discourage these behaviours without causing harm to teeth or gums. Typically recommended for children who continue habits beyond age 3-4, these discreet devices work by creating a physical reminder that helps break the pattern naturally. While not visible when smiling, they're carefully monitored by our specialists to ensure proper function and comfort. Browse our frequently asked questions below to learn more about how these appliances work, their benefits, and what to expect during treatment.
Habit-breaking appliances are specialised dental devices designed to help patients overcome harmful oral habits such as thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or lip biting. These custom-made appliances work by creating a physical barrier or reminder that discourages the problematic behaviour. At London Dental Specialists, our habit-breaking appliances are carefully designed to be comfortable while effectively helping patients break habits that could otherwise lead to dental misalignment or other oral health issues.
Habit-breaking appliances are typically considered when a child hasn't naturally outgrown harmful oral habits by age 4-5. Ideally, habits like thumb-sucking should cease by age 3-4, but if they persist beyond this age, intervention may be necessary to prevent dental development issues. At London Dental Specialists, we assess each child individually, considering their specific habits, dental development stage, and psychological readiness before recommending a habit-breaking appliance.
Habit-breaking appliances are designed to be as comfortable as possible. Patients may experience mild discomfort or a feeling of pressure during the initial adjustment period, typically lasting 3-5 days. These appliances are custom-made at London Dental Specialists to fit each patient's mouth precisely, minimising discomfort. They are not painful and do not cause harm to the teeth or mouth. Our specialists ensure proper fitting and make adjustments as needed to maintain comfort throughout treatment.
London Dental Specialists offers several types of habit-breaking appliances, including:
Treatment duration with habit-breaking appliances typically ranges from 3-6 months, depending on the severity of the habit and the patient's response to treatment. Most patients at London Dental Specialists show significant improvement within the first month. With proper compliance and regular check-ups, habits can often be successfully broken within 3 months. However, some deeply ingrained habits may require longer treatment periods of up to 9-12 months for complete resolution.
Proper care for habit-breaking appliances includes:
Habit-breaking appliances may temporarily affect speech, particularly sounds like 's' and 't', but most patients adapt within 1-2 weeks. Eating may be slightly affected initially, with recommendations to start with softer foods and gradually return to a normal diet. At London Dental Specialists, we provide specific guidance for each patient based on their appliance type. Any speech or eating difficulties are typically minor and transient, resolving as the patient adjusts to the appliance.
Most habit-breaking appliances used at London Dental Specialists are designed to be discreet and minimally visible. Fixed palatal appliances are positioned behind the front teeth or on the roof of the mouth, making them virtually invisible when smiling or speaking. Some removable appliances may have small visible components, but these are typically designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. During your consultation, our specialists can show you exactly what your specific appliance will look like and address any aesthetic concerns.
After successful habit correction and removal of the appliance, London Dental Specialists provides follow-up monitoring to ensure the habit doesn't return. In some cases, orthodontic treatment may be recommended to address any dental alignment issues that developed due to the habit. Our specialists will assess whether additional interventions are needed or if regular dental check-ups are sufficient. Most patients maintain their results long-term once the habit is broken, especially when treatment is completed at an appropriate developmental age.
| Product | Brands | What it Takes Care of | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning Solution | Steradent, Retainer Brite | Appliance hygiene | Specially formulated to clean habit-breaking appliances without damaging them. |
| Storage Case | DenTek, Boots Dental | Protection and storage | Ventilated case to store appliance when not in use, preventing damage and loss. |
| Ultra-Soft Toothbrush | Oral-B Sensitive, Colgate Extra Soft | Appliance cleaning | For gentle cleaning of the appliance without scratching its surface. |
| Alcohol-Free Mouthwash | Corsodyl, Dentyl | Oral hygiene | Helps maintain oral health without damaging the appliance materials. |
| Lip Balm | Vaseline, Carmex | Comfort | Soothes lips that may become dry or irritated when adjusting to the appliance. |
| Dental Wax | Ortho Wax, Eludril | Irritation prevention | Covers any rough edges on the appliance that might cause discomfort. |
| Interdental Brushes | TePe, Boots Interdental | Detailed cleaning | Helps clean hard-to-reach areas around the appliance. |
| Fluoride Toothpaste | Colgate, Sensodyne | Cavity prevention | Strengthens teeth during treatment with habit-breaking appliances. |
| Travel Cleaning Kit | Boots, Superdrug | On-the-go care | Compact kit for maintaining appliance hygiene when away from home. |
| Antibacterial Mouth Spray | Dentyl, Colgate | Fresh breath | Quick freshening solution that won't damage the appliance. |
| Appliance Removal Tool | DenTek, Orthodontic Store | Safe handling | Helps safely remove the appliance without damaging it or hurting gums. |
| Progress Journal | Boots, WHSmith | Treatment tracking | Notebook to track progress and record any issues to discuss with your dentist. |
London Dental Specialists provides expert Habit-Breaking Appliances services across Central London's premier districts, including Mayfair, Soho, Westminster, and Belgravia. Our Harley Street clinic is ideally situated to serve patients from prestigious areas such as Knightsbridge, Marylebone, and the City of London. With excellent transport links and a central location, we're easily accessible to residents and professionals in Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia, and Clerkenwell.
Our Habit-Breaking Appliances services extend throughout London's vibrant inner suburbs, serving patients from well-connected areas within 5-10km of central London. From the artistic quarters of Camden and Hackney to the residential neighbourhoods of Islington and Brixton, we provide expert dental implant care to patients across these diverse communities. Our clinic is easily accessible via public transport from areas such as Fulham, Greenwich, and Hampstead.
We extend our Habit-Breaking Appliances expertise to patients throughout Greater London's outer regions, serving communities beyond the 10km radius of central London. From the residential areas of Enfield and Harrow to the suburban communities of Bromley and Croydon, our specialists provide the same exceptional level of care to patients in these outer London locations. With convenient transport links and flexible scheduling, we make advanced Habit-Breaking Appliances treatment accessible to residents throughout these broader London areas.
