DIY: Is your Child’s Face Growing Favorably?

April 29, 2013 By Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever wondered whether your child’s face is growing favorably, you can find out with a very easy test.

And if caught early enough, there is a solution that can help guide your child’s facial growth so that you can help prevent later orthodontic work and optimize facial esthetics by addressing problems such as a deep overbite, an under-bite, mouth breathing and other problems that can possibly affect long term health.

1.)   Using a piece of ribbon, measure the distance between the edge of the upper front tooth and the very tip of the nose (Measuring tooth to nose furthest point forward)

IMG_7403 IMG_7402

2.)   Mark those points with a pen.

3.)   Using a millimeter ruler, measure the distance between the two ink marks. This is the Cosmetic Line.

pic5

4.)   Compare your child’s Cosmetic Line to the chart

Age Cosmetic Line – Female Cosmetic Line – Male
5 26 28
6 27 29
7 28 30
8 29 31
9 30 32
10 31 33
11 32 34
12 33 35
13 34 36
14 35 37
15 36 38
16 37 39
17 38 40
Adult female: 38-42mm Adult male: 40-44mm

If the Cosmetic Line is 5-mm or greater than the ideal measurement, this is an indication that unwanted facial growth has already occurred.  If so, Biobloc Orthotropics® can help. Find out more in this video below:

You can also contact Dr. Ariana Ebrahimian at (831) 438-4411 for a consultation.

 

 

Filed Under: BioBloc Orthotropics, Proper Oral Rest Posture Tagged With: ,

What does texting or heavy backpacks do to your child’s posture?

March 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

textingWith the ubiquitousness of tablets, laptops, and smart phones, it only seems logical that the school days of toting heavy backpacks full of textbooks are coming to a close.  Until then, it seems that children will continue to struggle with oversized loads that frequently affect their posture.  What I see most commonly is children adopting a forward-head posture to compensate for the weight in their backpacks.  Ironically, texting and extended computer use also leads to forward-head posture.  This head position can also be related to a compromised airway.

According to orofacial myologist, Joy Moeller, RDH, “mouth breathing and a low tongue rest posture are often associated with a forward head posture.  The person brings their head forward in order to open the airway.”   This in turn negatively affects the cervical spine, the hips, the knees, the feet, and all of the supporting muscles.

An orofacial myologist can help with these issues by correcting poor oral posture.  Habits such as mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, and thumb-sucking not only contribute to the forward head posture but also alter facial growth.  Correcting these problems for both adults and children alike is something we do a lot of in our practice, and patients find the therapy both fun and effective.  Visit www.myofunctional-therapy.com for more information on orofacial myology.

Filed Under: Proper Oral Rest Posture Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Tongue-Tied Child?

February 18, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Is your child’s tongue restricted?
linugal frenulum

One of the biggest obstacles to breastfeeding and a proper swallowing pattern is a tongue tie, or “ankyloglossia.”   The little piece of tissue that attaches the underside of the tongue to the floor of the mouth is called a “frenum,” and when that attachment is too tight, the tongue can’t function properly.  All newborns should be screened for this right after birth as it can prevent a baby from latching to the breast, and the fix is very easy – just a quick severing of that attachment can mean the difference between a child who can feed properly and one who cannot.

If this tongue tie persists into childhood or even adulthood, it prevents a proper swallow, which in turn can cause orthodontic problems.  Fixing the tongue tie after infancy is still an easy procedure, but it is very important to seek the help of an orofacial myologist afterwards who will help make sure the frenum doesn’t heal back in the same position before it was released.  Visit www.myofunctional-therapy.com to learn more about a tongue tie and how orofacial myology can help.

Filed Under: Proper Oral Rest Posture Tagged With: , , , , , ,