Meghans-Mom and Staci...

[PaigesMom]

Meghans-Mom,

I saw your post regarding oral motor stimulation and wanted to ask you a question or two. Paige is going thru another HORRIBLE time of teeth grinding, for whatever reason, she comes and goes with this and it is usually sensory related. We have done oral motor stim with the face massager (battery operated) and also Nuk brushes and 'tapping' around her mouth, cheekbones, etc. I think what you describe as 'scratching' sound like something that might work for Paige - she LOVES sensory input and seeks it regularily. So I guess I'm asking if you could explain what you do a little more in depth. Also the electric toothbrush - since she's 4 she can probably do it herself and I could offer this to her when she grinds - is there a specific child one, or a specific type of brush that you use on the end - I'm assuming you dont use toothpaste, you just let her use it in her mouth when she needs it. I'm excited for your response, I've been going thru some 'times' with her recently (mostly behavior and medical) and am looking for NEW things that might help her, and my sanity.

Staci - have you used the toothbrush or scrathcing techniques? If so, how did they work for you? I am going to try after Meghans Mom responds and I will let you know if it impacts the grinding which is constant and loud. The therapists and teacher say it is sensory, the dentist says not to worry about it and so does the pediatrician, but it needs to stop. Thanks for asking about the Celiac diet. She is still gluten free, but I have not seen a major behavior or GI change in her. They think that they might have misdiagnosed her and that she may have Hirschprungs - which is what I have really thought since birth. She has NEVER gone to the bathroom on her own without some sort of intervention from me or laxatives and it is getting very old, very fast. So she has some more testing to go thru.

Deb

[Staci]

Hey there! I just posted on the teeth grinding thread in the health forum about some of this before I even saw this thread! LOL

I HAVE been doing the scratching thing with Aidan the past few days...plus massaging his cheeks with a little pressure, and massaging his tongue with his toothbrush...just things I think to do thinking maybe he'll like it, whenever I think of it...and you know, I was just realizing while typing on the other thread that I don't think I heard Aidan grind at all today! Interesting, huh? Have you been trying it with Paige? I hope it works for her! And I hope it works for Aidan and it wasn't just a one day thing LOL

You mentioned that Paige's diet is going ok, but that there is no change in her behavior, etc...you may be on to something there. I know, from experience, unfortunately, that Aidan grinds a LOT when he doesn't feel good. He did grind a lot more before his intestional surgery in April, due to his feeling like crap all of the time. Maybe your instincts are right and there is something more going on with Paige? I hope not, but something like this could be cause for the grinding so much, ya know? I worried about mis-diagnosed Hirschprungs with Aidan, but they did do a biopsy finally when they did his intestinal surgery last April and it came back negative (they had done the barium enema thing and it was negative, but said it could have been wrong). Now I know that the reason for him feeling like crap for his whole life and not having BM's very well was due to misdiagnosed intestinal blockage, GRRRR! I could go off again about it, but I won't! LOL Is Paige going to have a biopsy to check for sure about the Hirschprungs? It would put your mind to rest, if nothing else. I hope all is well! Our poor kiddos Anyway...keep us posted about the tests, the grinding, etc! Email me if you want! [e-mail] Take care and thanks for the post!

[meghans_mom]

Hey Deb - we use any child's electric toothbrush...however, be careful using the Oral-B type w/ detachable head. they (dont know who THEY are, lol) just put out a warning that some kids can bite the button thing that releases the replacement head (brush) and posibly choke. We have one for MM but I only use it w/ her when I'm there - other types dont have the same trouble supposedly.
w/ the brush - we do teeth, gumlines all over and down the center of the tongue. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to do the insides of the cheek, i'll have to ask theST on Monday....but that would probably be good, right?
and no i dont use toothpaste...

re: "scratching"..I use my nails (3 or 4) with a fairly good pressure (no to cause injury obviously) - about 30 seconds each time....always move TOWARDS the mouth...from under the nose. same from chin up towards mouth and then 2 or 3 fingers down the mid-cheek range to corners of the lips.
I know it said it in my previous post but try this on yourself....not only to get an idea of what kind of pressure to apply but to see the effects...it's really cool. When I do it properly on MM I can see shefeels the numbness or increased sensitivity it produce....she roll her lips around etc.

Note - you *may* initially see increased drooling from these techniques. We totally did and I was flipping out! but it's better now.

also, ask your ST about having Paige bite on chewy tubes or surgical latex tubing (if she's not allergic) with a knot in it....or even a childs gummy teether. something w/ bumps on it to stimulate her need?

hope this helps some and if the explaination is no good let me know and maybe i can 'splain better :-D

laurie