Child Dental Care

Common behaviors seen in children and adults with jaw deficits and subsequent speech and feeding disorders are that of maladaptive oral habits. Such habits include jaw clenching and teeth grinding (bruxism), excessive mouthing of objects, thumb and finger sucking, tongue sucking, lip chewing, nail biting, and extended bottle and pacifier use.

Three common reasons oral habits may occur include:environmental/external stress, dental misalignment(malocclusions) and physical tension located in the TMJ, and weakness due to instability and underuse of the oral musculature.

These habits can be corrected by a definitive protocol which include thorough examination, counseling, habit breaking appliances etc. Remember: Techniques to eliminate the undesirable oral habit should be introduced when a program plan, which will outline the replacement behaviors, is established and when family and caregiver support is in place.

These habits, when excessive or are continued past appropriate developmental necessity, can lead to poor dental health, be socially stigmatizing, and inhibit the development of speech clarity.