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Children’s Oral Habits and Health: Preventing Future Problems

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The sensation of blocked ears can be frustrating and uncomfortable, often leading to a sense of pressure or fullness that interferes with hearing and overall well-being. While this issue is commonly associated with ear infections or fluid buildup, it can also be linked to underlying orofacial myofunctional dysfunctions. At Key Osteopaths in Surrey, we offer myofunctional therapy as an effective treatment for addressing the root causes of this sensation, providing relief and improving ear.
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Understanding Common Oral Habits in Children

What Are Oral Habits in Children?

Oral habits in children refer to repetitive actions involving the mouth, such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip sucking, and mouth breathing. These behaviours are often natural reflexes during infancy and early childhood, helping babies and young children self-soothe, explore their environment, or manage anxiety. While many of these habits are normal and may fade away naturally, some persist and can cause oral health issues, affecting a child’s teeth alignment, jaw growth, speech development, and overall facial structure. Identifying and understanding these habits early on is crucial for timely intervention and to avoid more complex dental and developmental problems later in life.

Why Are Oral Habits Important for Your Child’s Health?

Persistent oral habits can have a profound impact on a child’s dental and overall health. For example, thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use beyond age 4 can lead to malocclusions like open bites or crossbites, where the teeth do not align properly. Mouth breathing, a habit often overlooked, can contribute to inadequate facial development, poor sleep quality, and even behavioural issues that mimic conditions like ADHD. These habits can interfere with the natural growth and function of the oral and facial muscles, affecting not only dental health but also respiratory function, speech clarity, and even social confidence. Early detection and management of these habits are essential to safeguarding a child’s long-term health and well-being.

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The Impact of Common Oral Habits on Dental and Facial Development

Thumb Sucking and Its Effects on Dental Development

Thumb sucking is one of the most common habits among young children. While it provides comfort and a sense of security, prolonged thumb sucking can significantly impact dental development. When thumb sucking continues past the age of 4 or 5, the constant pressure exerted on the upper front teeth not only from the thumb but also from the tongue’s incorrect resting position can push them forward or up, leading to an “open bite” where the front teeth do not meet when the mouth is closed. This may cause the roof of the mouth (palate) to become more narrow and the face width to not develop fully. This then makes it hard for the tongue to reach the correct position. Low tongue posture can cause series of reactions that can develop into ENT issues, headaches, wear and tear in the TMJ. Orthodontic intervention may then be required, which often results in healthy teeth being pulled out to ‘create space’, whereas it would be far better to keep these teeth and create space naturally.

Lip Sucking and Its Hidden Consequences

Lip sucking involves a child repeatedly sucking or biting on their lower or upper lip, often as a subconscious habit. This behaviour can lead to excessive pressure on the teeth and surrounding structures, causing an overbite where the upper front teeth protrude excessively over the lower teeth. Over time, this can lead to uneven wear of the teeth, increased risk of tooth decay, gum irritation, and even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders due to abnormal jaw positioning. If left unchecked, lip sucking can contribute to a cascade of oral health problems that affect not only the teeth but also the development of the jaw and the function of the facial muscles.

The Effects of Mouth Breathing on Facial and Dental Development

Mouth breathing is often a compensatory mechanism in response to nasal obstructions, allergies, or enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Unlike nasal breathing, which filters and humidifies the air, mouth breathing can lead to dry mouth, an increase in oral bacteria, and a higher risk of cavities and gum disease. More importantly, chronic mouth breathing can significantly impact a child’s facial growth, leading to a long, narrow face, recessed chin, or a gummy smile. This breathing pattern affects the development of the jaw, making it narrower, and often contributes to orthodontic issues such as crossbites and open bites. Additionally, children who breathe through their mouth during sleep may experience poor-quality sleep, leading to daytime fatigue, irritability, and concentration problems that mimic ADHD symptoms.

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Early Warning Signs of Oral Health Issues in Children

Recognising the Signs of Harmful Oral Habits

Parents should be vigilant for signs that oral habits are becoming problematic. These can include visible changes in the alignment of the teeth or the tongue poking through gaps in the teeth, a gummy smile, snoring, difficulty with speech (such as a lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds), frequent open-mouth breathing, and complaints of discomfort while chewing or swallowing. Other signs might include frequent mouth infections, or visible wear and tear on the teeth. If a child continues to suck their thumb, bite their lip, or breathe through their mouth beyond the age of 4, these could be red flags indicating the need for professional assessment.

The Role of Parents in Early Detection and Intervention

Parents play a crucial role in detecting early signs of oral health issues. Paying attention to how their child breathes, eats, speaks, and sleeps are critical steps in early intervention. If a child shows signs of persistent oral habits, parents should seek guidance from professionals with a specialism in this field, who can provide tailored advice on corrective measures. Early intervention can prevent minor habits from developing into significant health concerns and ensure that a child’s growth and development are not hindered by preventable oral health problems.

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The Role of Myofunctional Therapy in Correcting Oral Habits

What Is Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional therapy is a specialised treatment approach that uses specific exercises to correct improper muscle function and posture of the mouth, tongue, and facial muscles. This therapy targets habits like mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, and poor swallowing techniques, which can contribute to malocclusions and other dental issues. By retraining the muscles to work properly, myofunctional therapy helps to restore normal oral posture, improve breathing patterns, and promote proper facial development. It is particularly effective for young children whose muscles and bones are still developing, making early intervention highly beneficial.

Benefits of Myofunctional Therapy for Children

Myofunctional therapy offers numerous benefits for children, especially when started early. It can help eliminate harmful oral habits, improve dental alignment and palatal width. By promoting correct tongue posture and nasal breathing, this therapy can prevent or mitigate the development of more severe orthodontic problems, such as overbites, underbites, or crossbites. It also supports better sleep quality by reducing airway obstructions, which can alleviate behavioural symptoms such as hyperactivity and lack of concentration. Overall, myofunctional therapy helps ensure that a child’s oral and facial muscles develop correctly, supporting long-term health and well-being.

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Effective Strategies for Breaking Harmful Oral Habits

Practical Approaches for Parents

Breaking harmful oral habits requires a combination of patience, consistency, and practical strategies. Parents can start by identifying triggers that lead to these habits, such as stress, boredom, or fatigue, and offering alternative coping mechanisms like a comfort toy, a stress ball, or a distraction activity. Positive reinforcement, such as praise or a reward system, can motivate children to avoid these habits. For thumb or finger sucking, a gentle approach taking into account the psychological side of the child wanting to soothe themselves is best. A habit breaking protocol can be discussed before myofunctional therapy starts. Engaging the child in activities that keep their hands and mouth busy, like crafts or playing an instrument, can also help redirect the habit.

When Professional Help Is Needed

If at-home strategies are not effective or if the child’s oral habits are causing noticeable problems with speech, eating, or dental alignment, it may be time to seek professional assistance. At Key Osteopaths, we offer comprehensive assessments and personalised treatment plans, including myofunctional therapy, to address these issues effectively. Our team works closely with parents and children to develop tailored approaches that break harmful habits, improve oral health, and promote healthy development.
Anna van Piggelen Osteopath Myofunctional Therapist in Surrey v2

Anna van Piggelen

Osteopath & Myofunctional Therapist in Surrey
With a deep commitment to patient care, Anna van Piggelen brings expertise in both osteopathy and myofunctional therapy, helping individuals improve their health and well-being.
Graduating in Osteopathy from the University College of Osteopathy in 2010, Anna later pursued specialised training in myofunctional therapy with the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and advanced studies with the Airway Circle.
Anna’s approach is deeply personal—having undergone palate expansion and myofunctional therapy herself to address childhood thumb-sucking-related jaw and ENT issues, she understands the challenges firsthand. This fuels her dedication to supporting both children and adults facing airway concerns.
She collaborates closely with ENT consultants, dentists, and orthodontists, ensuring each patient receives the right care at the right time. Myofunctional therapy may not always be the immediate solution, but it can play a crucial role later in treatment.
Beyond myofunctional therapy, Anna integrates osteopathy to provide structural, hands-on support, assisting with posture correction and tightness. She uses cranial osteopath in coordination with other specialists to aid orthodontic care and frenulum releases, ensuring comprehensive and collaborative treatment tailored to individual needs.
“Worried about your child’s oral habits? Contact Key Osteopaths today for a personalised consultation and start your child’s journey towards better health.”
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