Stability Bite Oral Motor Problems

Start by reading more about development of oral motor skills.

When presented with a spoon, fork, cup, or straw, the child exhibiting a stability bit tightly bites down in order to gain stability in a voluntary manner. They are able to voluntarily open their mouth unlike jaw closure.

A stability bite occurs because of several reasons:

• Low muscle tone

• Poor posture

• Fluctuations in muscle tone

• Poor control of the jaw

• Poor or inconsistent proprioceptive feedback from the jaw

• Poor graded control of jaw movements

• Lack of experience with biting and chewing exploration

Feeding issues related to a stability bite

• When kids present with stability bite, eating and drinking are not efficient.

• Rhythmical eating and drinking can result.

• It is possible for a pattern of internal jaw instability to develop with continued use of external stability that a stability bite provides.

You may have seen some of the oral motor problems posts in a recent series we’ve had here on The OT Toolbox.  We’ve been talking all about oral motor skills and today brings another in that series.  If you missed any of those posts, you can find all of the past posts on oral motor skills and how they relate to feeding here.   

Below you’ll find information related to jay clenching oral motor issues and the reasons that this particular oral motor problem occurs.  You’ll also find feeding issues that may ensue from jaw clenching.

 

Start by reading more about development of oral motor skills.

 

Jaw Clenching Oral Motor Problems

Jaw clenching occurs when the jaw moves into a tight position as a result of body movements and the ability to open the mouth occurs. Jaw clenching can result in shortening of jaw musculature and contractures.  This leads to anatomical inability to open the mouth.


It’s possible that the observation of a clenched jaw in feeding may be confused with stability biting and tonic bite response. 


Teeth grinding can occur as a result of a clenched jaw.


Jaw clenching occurs because of several reasons:

Poor posture with overall flexion

Over-Stimulating sensory environment

Increased stress

Impaired control of jaw movements

 

Feeding issues related to jaw clenching:

When a child presents with a clenched jaw, their ability to
develop the skills needed for feeding are greatly impacted.  

 

They cannot utilize rhythm in eating and
drinking. 

 

Initiation or sustained movement patterns during eating and drinking
are impacted.

 

Oral Motor Exercises

 

 

You might be following along with our series related to oral motor problems that relate to feeding. In it, we are covering all of the specifics about oral motor problems that translate to difficulty with eating and drinking. So far, we’ve covered jaw thrust but have more oral motor problems that will be covered in the coming days. Today, exaggerated jaw movements are addressed, along with the cause of these movements and how they relate to feeding issues.

Start by reading more about development of oral motor skills. 

Exaggerated Jaw Movements Oral Motor Problems

Exaggerated jaw movements are different from jaw thrust in that the movements are not forceful.  When exaggerated jaw closure occurs, it can be a compensation strategy for jaw instability or 

There are several reasons for these exaggerated jaw movements:

Fluctuations in muscle tone
Impaired oral control
Decreased muscle tone
Exaggerated excursions can be an overflow or organizing movement
Increased oral tone
Oral hypersensitivity to the teeth touching teeth, utensils, tongue, food, straw, or a drinking cup
Poor sustained jaw closing
Jaw instability
Poor graded movement patterns

Feeding issues related to exaggerated jaw movements:

Exaggerated jaw movements interfere with stability needed for drinking from a straw, cup, or bottle, removing food from a spoon, biting, or chewing. 


 Stability in the jaw is necessary for efficient swallowing and controlled eating. 


 When the jaw’s movement patterns are exaggerated, an individual spills food and is at risk for aspiration due to difficulty with swallowing.


Graded movements on a cup or utensil are difficult, resulting in food spillage or drooling. 

Oral Motor Exercises for the Jaw

If you are looking for exercises related to common oral motor problems, this FREE printable pack of oral motor exercises goes along perfectly with the series I have planned for you.  Get your free printable packet of 20 different feeding therapy ideas AND 20 oral motor exercises.  These are treatment ideas for oral motor problems that professionals can utilize over and over again.  

 

Jaw Thrust Oral Motor Problem

Jaw thrust impacts components of eating,
including sucking, biting, swallowing, and chewing food.  


Jaw thrust impacts the movement and use of the tongue, cheeks, and lips as a result of jaw thrust. 


When a child eats, jaw thrust interferes with
the rhythm of eating and drinking. 


Children may present with a strong jaw thrust during meals and the
person who is feeding the child views the jaw thrust as food refusal or being
through with eating. 


Jaw thrust may result in drooling, food droppage or spilling, spilling or leaking of fluids.