Orfacial Myofunctional Therapy and Children
Finger and Thumb Sucking
Babies have natural rooting and sucking reflexes, which can cause them to put their thumbs or fingers into their mouths — sometimes even before birth. Because thumb sucking makes babies feel secure, some babies might eventually develop a habit of thumb sucking when they’re in need of soothing or going to sleep.
Many children stop sucking their thumbs on their own, often by age 6 or 7 months or between ages 2 and 4. But even a child who’s stopped sucking his or her thumb might go back to the behavior during times of stress.
Myofunctional Therapy helps children as young as two (2) and as old as sixty-two (62) to stop sucking thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, bottles, blankets and sippy cups which can cause mild to severe issues with teeth, lips, speech and facial development.
Therapy can take as little as three (3) to five (5) minutes, three (3) times per day.
Families are astounded at how EASY it is. Patients develop enhanced self-esteem with the empowerment that they feel.
Orthodontists, dentists, teachers and counselors refer patients for this positive program and report seeing incredible changes.
Often, just stopping the habit will shorten the time for orthodontics (braces), and improve their speech and articulation which enhances their social skills.