This is a group of habits that occur because of habit or anxiety but interfere with the growth development of the mouth. Thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, blankets and toys, tongues and cheeks can all be sucked on and interrupt how the body grows. They will keep the tongue low on the floor of the mouth instead of the roof and keep the mouth open; the palate will form high, and thus the floor of the nose will be high too; the teeth will be unable to grow naturally, so you will see teeth becoming crooked and out of alignment; the lower jaw will be underdeveloped. I will work with you or your child to stop the habit and set a few tasks out, and as long as you are ready to quit, it can be achieved, and orofacial myofunctional therapy can begin to aid the muscles of the face and mouth back into perfect symmetry with the body.
