Oral Habits

Our fundamental responsibility as dentists is the oral health of the child and every child has a fundamental right to his total oral health. For many years oral habits have been the subject of intense discussion and study by the dental profession. Certain habits serve as stimuli to normal growth of the jaws, and abnormal habits which interfere with the regular pattern of facial growth, must be differentiated from the desired normal habits that are a part of normal oropharyngeal function.The abnormal habits bring about harmful unbalanced pressures to bear upon the immature highly malleable alveolar ridges and potential changes in the positions of the teeth and occlusion. The data on the etiology, age of onset, self-correction and treatment modalities for the various habits differ greatly. Hence for a successful management of the habit, an understanding of the dental implications and manifestations of the habit should be pursued.