What is Habit Elimination Therapy?

Any sucking habit that is chronic past 3 years of age has the potential of affecting a child or adult’s teeth and the shape of their palate should be evaluated and treated by a Myofunctional Therapist.     

Such habits include the following:

    • Nail biting
    • Thumb sucking
    • Finger sucking
    • Tongue Sucking
    • Lip Wedging
    • Lip Licking
    • Cheek biting
    • Prolonged pacifier use 
    • Clenching/grinding teeth
    • Jaw shifting

Such habits include the following:

    • Nail biting
    • Thumb sucking
    • Finger sucking
    • Tongue Sucking
    • Lip Wedging
    • Lip Licking
    • Cheek biting
    • Prolonged pacifier use 
    • Clenching/grinding teeth
    • Jaw shifting

Why is this important?

When habits are not corrected, dentition can be affected and the roof of a person’s mouth can vault upwards such as the following:

Open Bite

Over Jet

Vaulted Palate

How did this start?

The roof of your mouth craves the constant pressure and sensation of your tongue resting upon it.  When that need is not being met, we seek input in out mouth through other means.  Noxious oral habits may result over time.