Thumb/Finger Sucking, Nail Biting, & Pacifier Programs
Structural Changes:
• The most common: cross-bite, excessive overjet, open bite
• The roof of mouth growing vertically instead of horizontally and vaulting
• If the palate narrows the nasal cavity and sinus may become narrow and shallow
• With structural changes and inadequate room for the tongue to rest the tongue will compensate and adapt by moving down and forward
• With structure changes and low forward tongue rest posture the dental freeway space opens beyond its normal range, disrupting normal dental development and possible abnormal changes in jaw growth.
Functional Changes:
As this open mouth forward rest posture of the tongue habituates functions compensate and adapt triggering changes in functions.
•Changes in chewing patterns
•Changes in speech production
•Changes in swallowing patterns
•Changes in breathing patterns
Chemical Changes:
•If this non-nutritive action persists and becomes automatic, a habit can form, and this pattern may become chronic and detrimental. Neurotransmitters are released with this stimulation which can cause an addictive behavior producing feelings of calm, pleasure, comfort and relaxation.
NOTE: Recent research has shown that there is a high correlation between sucking habits and tongue tie or airway dysfunction, and we assess for these components – we don’t just treat the habit, we address the underlying cause.
•As professionals our goal is to achieve long term successful thumb elimination. Recognizing and understanding all aspects of the habit is the first step.
•We have specialized thumb, finger, and other oral habit programs to help your child quit easily and effectively! Take it out of your hands and into ours. We are here to help!
Click here to read more about Myofunctional Issues/Services.
Nicole's passion for her work is palpable, and her dedication to her patients' success is truly remarkable. What struck me most was her personal connection to the field; hearing about her own journey overcoming sleep issues was not only inspiring but reassuring. I left our consultation feeling hopeful and empowered, knowing I had found a true partner in my health journey.
Based on Nicole's recommendation, I will be seeing a sleep specialist, confident that together with her guidance, we will find solutions to my challenges. It was an honor to meet Nicole, and I look forward to continuing to work with her until we resolve this issue. I cannot recommend Nicole and the Myofunctional Center highly enough for anyone seeking expert care with a deeply personal touch.
I reached out to Nicole in desperation. I was suffering from 9/10 chronic pain which led to the deterioration of my mental health.
I live in Australia and had little hope that I would get a reply, I had just been discharged from a psychiatric ward and the future wasn’t looking bright.
Not only did Nicole reply, she shared her knowledge and also reached out to a team of health professionals she knew in my area with the next steps in my journey. She was kind and most importantly, she was honest.
6 months have passed and I have my life back. I’m happy and hopeful again, back to enjoying my life. I wouldn’t be in this position
without Nicole and for that I am forever thankful.
If you are deciding whether or not to seek help, you are in the best possible hands here.
- Thank you Nicole.
I started seeing her for a tongue thrust. Through our behavior sessions, she discovered that I couldn’t breathe well through my nose leading to open mouth breathing. Multiple doctors confirmed this and I wound up having a septum repair. Also, she suspected that I had a small airway and upper airway resistance syndrome. Sleep drs and dentists confirmed this as well.
She’s been a continuous resource for me on doctors, breathing, sleep and issues of the mouth. She presents at conferences and has really strong relationships with the best doctors in her field who think really highly of her.
When my 5 month old daughter was born in Feb, she again was a resource for me about tongue and lip ties. She connected me with the best doctors and dentists in the field.
If you are thinking about going to another speech or myofunctional therapist, don’t! Nicole is the absolute best in San Diego and probably the US.
San Diego Center for Speech and Myofunctional Therapy for issues related to a tongue tie. Kris and Nicole were both amazing to work with and always took the time to answer any of my questions or concerns. Their knowledge is unmatched and I would highly recommend their services.
I highly recommend Nicole and her team!
I started seeing her for a tongue thrust. Through our behavior sessions, she discovered that I couldn't breathe well through my nose leading to open mouth breathing. Multiple doctors confirmed this and I wound up having a septum repair. Also, she suspected that I had a small airway and upper airway resistance syndrome. Sleep drs and dentists confirmed this as well.
She's been a continuous resource for me on doctors, breathing, sleep and issues of the mouth. She presents at conferences and has really strong relationships with the best doctors in her field who think really highly of her.
When my 5 month old daughter was born in Feb, she again was a resource for me about tongue and lip ties. She connected me with the best doctors and dentists in the field.
If you are thinking about going to another speech or myofunctional therapist, don't! Nicole is the absolute best in San Diego and probably the US.
