Developments

Parent Newsletter

  

October 2015                   Volume 4                    Issue 4: Oral Motor Development
~ IN THIS ISSUE ~
Early Childhood Development
Monthly Milestones
Activities
Health & Safety
Additional Resources
 
Early Childhood Development: Oral Motor Development 

Oral motor development refers to the use of the lips, tongue, jaw, teeth, cheeks and the hard/soft palates. These muscles are important for eating, drinking and speech. In order to develop good speech, swallowing and eating textures, it is important good movement and  coordination develop appropriately and that all of the muscles work together. 

Children who struggle in this area may have problems tolerating different food textures, drinking from a cup, having their teeth brushed, and may overstuff their mouth with food.  Problems can include muscle weakness/tightness, happy_baby_eating.jpgsensory  problems (textures), oral motor planning or coordination. 

Oral motor development begins before birth and continues through 3 years of age.  Most children by 4 years of age should be able todrink liquids and eat solids without choking. Examples of some activities that can encourage/enhance oral motor skills include drinking from a straw, chewing, and blowing a toy horn.   

 

Monthly Milestones: Watch Me Grow!
 
Children gain skills at different rates, however it is important to monitor their progress and be aware of their milestones.
  • 36 weeks gestation - Sucking & suckling is developed
  • At 0-3 months - Turns head toward nipple when cheek is stroked
  • At 0-3 months - Drinks breast milk or formula using a nipple
  • At 1-3 months - Coordinates sucking, swallowing and breathing
  • At 1-5 months - Explores rattles/toys orally  
  • At 3-6 months - Swallows strained or pureed fruits or vegetables
  • At 4-8 months - Uses tongue to move food in mouth
  • At 5-8 months - Sometimes uses munching pattern with thicker foods
  • At 6-9 months - Cleans the spoon with upper lip
  • At 6-9 months - Eats pureed meats 
  • At 8-10 months - Bites foods
  • At 8-10 months - Chews food with better coordination 
  • At 9-12 months - Demonstrates lip closure
  • At 9-12 months - Begins to drink from sippy cup
  • At 9-12 months - Begins sucking through a straw
  • At 12-15 months - Blows on instruments or blow toys 
  • At 12-18 months - Eats finely chopped table foods
  • At 12-18 months - Moves food from side-to-side when chewing
  • At 15-24 months - Imitates facial expressions 
  • At 24 months - Brushes teeth with assistance  
  • At 24-36 months - Drinks from an open mouthed cup
  • At 3-5 years - Eats independently
  • At 3-5 years - Is able to blow bubbles, whistles and other blow toys independently
  • At 3-5 years - Brushes teeth independently

If you are ever concerned about your child's development, Help Me Grow can locate a developmental screening for your child.

 

Collected in part from www.advantagespeech.com/oral_motor_milestones

Activities: Let's Get Moving, Our Mouths! 

Infants
  • You can also help her become comfortable with touch by stroking her li
  • ps with your finger or gently rubbing a mouth brush over her tongue and gums.
  • Infant massage may also help to increase oral-awareness and facial tone
  • Expose her mouth to a variety of temperatures with a warm wash cloth or freezer safe teether.  (As a safety precaution, inspect the teether to ensure it doesn't have any leaks.) 
Toddlers
  • Ask your toddler to imitate you doing the following:
    • Pretending to be a monkey and making the monkey sound
    • Open and close your mouth
    • Stick your tongue out as far as you can 

Preschoolers
  • Sing "Old McDonald" with exaggerated movement for vowels during the chorus, "e, i, e, i, o".
  • Make funny faces with your child this will help him learn about underused muscles in his face and mouth. Practice in front of a mirror for added fun!


 

Mother with her baby playing with pet on the floor at the kitchen at home

 

Collected from: 
http://www.livestrong.com/article/560581-sensory-stimulation-activities-for-an-infants-mouth/
Health & Safety

Your Infant's Mouth
 
Teeth at Birth?

Soon after an infant is born, a doctor or nurse practitioner thoroughly examines his or her body, including the mouth. Most of the time a baby's gums, tongue and soft palate are normally developed and ready for action. But sometimes there are harmless variations that may surprise some parents.
  • Epstein's pearls- These small, white, pearl-like spots appear on the roof of the mouth. These bumps are harmless and tend to disappear within a few weeks.
  • Bohn's nodules- These small, white, pearl-like spots appear on the roof of the mouth. These bumps are harmless and tend to disappear within a few weeks.
  • Inclusion cysts- These small bumps appear along the crest of the gum ridge. They are harmless.
  • Natal and neonatal teeth-Some infants are born with one or more teeth. They are called natal teeth. Some babies have teeth emerge into the mouth within the first 30 days of life. These are called neonatal teeth. Because these are primary (baby) teeth, not extra teeth, it is a good idea to keep them if possible. However, sometimes natal or neonatal teeth may have to be removed. Removal may be best if they are likely to come loose or if they interfere with feeding or significantly irritate the tongue or lip.
Caring for Your Infant's Mouth

Your baby doesn't have teeth, but you should still clean his or her mouth.
It is a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning your baby's gums soon after birth. Although there may be a little fussing at first, your infant will get used to having the mouth cleaned like other parts of the body. Many children grow to enjoy tooth brushing as part of their daily routine.

To clean your baby's mouth:
  • Lay your infant in your lap. The head should be close to your chest so you can look down directly into your child's mouth.
  • Clean the gums by rubbing a clean, damp, washcloth along the baby's upper and lower gums. You can also use terrycloth finger cots, which fit over the finger and are made for this purpose. They are sold in many drugstores.
  • When the teeth come into the mouth, switch to a soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush. Unless your dentist recommends otherwise, start using a toothpaste with fluoride. For children who are younger than 3 years, use only a "smear" of toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) on the bristles of the toothbrush.
  • Follow these steps at least twice a day - once after breakfast and once after the last feeding of the day.
Teething

Between 3 and 9 months, your infant's baby teeth will begin to erupt (emerge into the mouth). The process starts with the lower two front teeth (incisors). Timing varies considerably among children. However, the order is very predictable. After the four incisors come in on both the lower and upper jaw, the first molars erupt. They are followed by canines (eye teeth) and then the second molars further back in the mouth. Most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth by age 2½ or 3.

Teething can go by almost unnoticed or can be stressful for parents and children alike. It may make your child irritable or fussy and may cause restlessness, drooling or loss of appetite. However, teething has not been shown to cause 
other childhood symptoms such as fever, vomiting or diarrhea.

You can ease your child's teething discomfort by:
  • Giving him or her a hard or cold teething ring to chew on
  • Applying pressure over the gums by rubbing them with a clean finger


Sucking Habits

It is completely normal and healthy for your baby or young child to suck on a thumb, finger or pacifier. It's not something you need to be alarmed about or discourage. Sucking is a natural reflex. It's something your baby did in the womb.

Children usually give up sucking habits on their own by the time they are 3 to 4 years old. If they stop the habit at this age, the shape of the jaw is usually not affected. The teeth should grow in normally. However, some children find the sucking habit hard to break. Children who are still sucking on a pacifier, finger or thumb when their permanent (adult) teeth start to come in are more likely to have bite problems.
Sucking can cause:
  • The top front teeth to slant out
  • The bottom front teeth to tilt in
  • The upper and lower jaws to be misaligned
  • The roof of the mouth to be narrower side to side
The amount of distortion caused by sucking depends on how often, how long and how intensely the child sucks. It also is affected by the type of object that the child is sucking on.

To help an older child break a sucking habit, it is important to explain clearly why the habit can be harmful. Be supportive and encouraging, and praise your child's efforts to end the habit. If the child sucks a finger or pacifier because of a stressful situation, it can be very helpful to address the source of the stress.

When needed, dentists can provide appliances that correct distortions created by the sucking habit and help the child stop the habit.
Here are a few ways parents can encourage their child to quit sucking a finger or thumb.
  • Use positive reinforcement.
  • Track progress by noting every successful day using a sticker or star on a chart.
  • Put an adhesive bandage on the finger as a reminder, or have your child wear a mitten when sleeping.
  • Take the finger out of your child's mouth after he or she falls asleep.
Pacifier Tips

If your child uses a pacifier, make sure it is always used safely.
Never fasten a pacifier on a string or necklace around your child's neck. Your child could accidentally be strangled. 

Choose a pacifier that:
  • Is one piece rather than several parts
  • Has ventilating holes on the sides
  • Is large enough so that your child can't swallow it
  • Is made of a flexible, nontoxic material
  • Has a handle that is easy to grasp
Always check the pacifier before giving it to your child. Make sure there are no rips or tears. If there are, replace it. Never dip a pacifier in honey or any other sweet substance before giving it to your baby. This could lead to serious tooth decay. 

Additional Resources
 
Information on Child Development - Help Me Grow:
 
Teeth Brushing video/song
https://youtu.be/Pd4WnsXwdqw

Teething and Dental Hygiene

Healthy Habits for Oral Health

Article on Children's Oral Health

Activities

Oral motor development milestones

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