|
|
Post by shanniebananie on Jul 8, 2014 2:57:13 GMT
My 11 year old DS has a very bad habit of chewing with his mouth open, even though we repeatedly ask him not to and have him practice chewing with his mouth closed. I am beginning to think there is physical problem preventing him from eating correctly. It seems that he can't breathe correctly with his mouth closed and he says it is hard to taste his food with mouth closed.
He doesn't snore but the dentist does notice he is a mouth breather. Should I make a special doctor's appt to discuss this or wait until our next checkup? It has always bothered me and now I want to get this solved before girls really start noticing this horrible habit.
If it isn't medical, how do you make a kid chew with their mouth closed? My mom suggested eating in front of a mirror, which I don't think is a bad idea.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 17:58:34 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2014 2:58:15 GMT
Is he a mouth breather?? I am, and it's very hard to keep my mouth entirely closed. I feel like I'm being suffocated.
|
|
|
|
Post by SockMonkey on Jul 8, 2014 2:59:00 GMT
I'd take him to the doc/ENT. Maybe he needs his adenoids out.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Jul 8, 2014 3:01:15 GMT
My 11 year old DS has a very bad habit of chewing with his mouth open, even though we repeatedly ask him not to and have him practice chewing with his mouth closed. I am beginning to think there is physical problem preventing him from eating correctly. It seems that he can't breathe correctly with his mouth closed and he says it is hard to taste his food with mouth closed. He doesn't snore but the dentist does notice he is a mouth breather. Should I make a special doctor's appt to discuss this or wait until our next checkup? It has always bothered me and now I want to get this solved before girls really start noticing this horrible habit. If it isn't medical, how do you make a kid chew with their mouth closed? My mom suggested eating in front of a mirror, which I don't think is a bad idea. It does sound like perhaps he has something blocking his nasal passages: the reason it might be hard to taste with his mouth closed is because taste is linked to smell, and if he can't breathe through his nose, he probably can't smell either. |
|
kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,517 
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
|
Post by kate on Jul 8, 2014 3:01:22 GMT
When I was growing up, a neighbor kid had a malocclusion so bad that he physically couldn't chew with is lips closed. His mom felt awful about hounding him for so long about something that wasn't his fault! So, yes, definitely get him checked out.
That said, my kids all chew with their lips open sometimes, and I LOATHE it. I remind them constantly - it's so annoying! I hope someone has some good advice here - I'll be listening!
|
|
|
|
Post by cecelia on Jul 8, 2014 3:02:39 GMT
At an ortho consult recently, we were told my son has tongue thrust. No one has ever said that before but now everything makes so much sense. He sticks his tongue out when he drinks with a straw and often needs reminders to chew with his mouth closed.
|
|
azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
|
Post by azredhead on Jul 8, 2014 3:10:45 GMT
Is he a mouth breather?? I am, and it's very hard to keep my mouth entirely closed. I feel like I'm being suffocated. This -- had breathing problems all my life. Had a few surgeries as well. It doesn't help with a bad gag reflex. Sinus stuff can be a problem as well. A good ENT is essential. |
|
|
|
Post by ptamom on Jul 8, 2014 3:12:52 GMT
I would take him to an ENT.
I have two nieces who had to have their tonsils and adenoids out, because there just wasn't enough room in their throats to swallow properly.
They each grew much taller the year after their surgeries. The obstruction was causing them to undereat. Once they could swallow without obstruction, they shot up in height.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 17:58:34 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2014 3:14:09 GMT
At an ortho consult recently, we were told my son has tongue thrust. No one has ever said that before but now everything makes so much sense. He sticks his tongue out when he drinks with a straw and often needs reminders to chew with his mouth closed. Cecelia: My orthodontist also told me that I was a tongue-thruster. Doesn't help the situation. I consciously try to keep my mouth closed while chewing, but it is hard, and chewing gum is impossible! |
|
|
|
Post by LAM88 on Jul 8, 2014 3:36:05 GMT
Is he a mouth breather?? I am, and it's very hard to keep my mouth entirely closed. I feel like I'm being suffocated. That's my 14yo. We repeatedly remind him to chew with his mouth closed, but the fact his that his sinuses are always clogged or swollen so since he can't breath when his mouth his closed, it's a habit to always have it open. |
|
|
|
Post by shevy on Jul 8, 2014 4:11:59 GMT
Another mouth breather with partial nostril blockage. It's hard to fully chew with my mouth closed, but I can do it. It took my parents reminding me and practice taking small enough bites that I could fully chew before running out of air.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dreamsofnyssa on Jul 8, 2014 5:20:50 GMT
At an ortho consult recently, we were told my son has tongue thrust. No one has ever said that before but now everything makes so much sense. He sticks his tongue out when he drinks with a straw and often needs reminders to chew with his mouth closed. Cecelia: My orthodontist also told me that I was a tongue-thruster. Doesn't help the situation. I consciously try to keep my mouth closed while chewing, but it is hard, and chewing gum is impossible! I find this interesting. I am the opposite. I have reverse swallowing/tongue thrust, but I cannot swallow with my mouth open and was always told this was not the norm. |
|
anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
I'd love a cup of tea. #1966
Posts: 7,394
Location: Third Rock from the sun.
Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
|
Post by anniebygaslight on Jul 8, 2014 5:39:24 GMT
Another one here who thinks it sounds as if his adenoids might be the problem.
|
|
perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439
Location: Idaho
|
Post by perumbula on Jul 8, 2014 5:56:21 GMT
You're supposed to be able to swallow with your mouth open?  I've never heard of that and just with a quick experiment I find I can't either and not only that, it's uncomfortable to even try. Weird. |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 17:58:34 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2014 10:30:00 GMT
Cecelia: My orthodontist also told me that I was a tongue-thruster. Doesn't help the situation. I consciously try to keep my mouth closed while chewing, but it is hard, and chewing gum is impossible! I find this interesting. I am the opposite. I have reverse swallowing/tongue thrust, but I cannot swallow with my mouth open and was always told this was not the norm. VERY interesting!!!!!! |
|
|
|
Post by cecelia on Jul 8, 2014 13:37:15 GMT
Cecelia: My orthodontist also told me that I was a tongue-thruster. Doesn't help the situation. I consciously try to keep my mouth closed while chewing, but it is hard, and chewing gum is impossible! My son doesn't chew gum. I never even made that connection. I need to contact a speech therapist to correct it but I know my hard-headed kid will be extremely resistant. |
|
|
|
Post by Sorrel on Jul 8, 2014 14:17:14 GMT
My 11 year old DD also chews with her mouth open. She has a very small mouth and is a mouth breather also. She had her tonsils and adenoids out when she was 5, but it didn't really help with the chewing. My main strategy is to remind her to take very small bites so it is easier to stay closed. She also has ADD though and never remembers!
|
|
oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
|
Post by oldcrow on Jul 8, 2014 15:00:50 GMT
I, too, am a mouth breather. I can breathe through my nose but I get panicky because I feel that I am not getting enough air.
I taught myself to take small bites and to simply take an inconspicuous breath through my mouth every so often while I have food in it.
Needless to say I am the last to leave the table.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dreamsofnyssa on Jul 8, 2014 19:20:30 GMT
You're supposed to be able to swallow with your mouth open? I've never heard of that and just with a quick experiment I find I can't either and not only that, it's uncomfortable to even try. Weird. I agree it is very uncomfortable. Part of my therapy was practicing to swallow with my mouth open. Whenever I mention it to my dentist they always get really concerned. I figured I was the only one. lol |
|
|
|
Post by miss_lizzie on Jul 8, 2014 20:07:30 GMT
How many of us just tried to swallow with our mouth open? (I can do it.)
|
|
|
|
Post by mrsscrapdiva on Jul 8, 2014 20:31:21 GMT
We are having the same issue with my 9 year old. It is frustrating for all of us because we get annoyed that have to bring this subject up all during dinner and then he gets aggravated that we are constantly reminding him. The speech teacher noticed it also when she was covering lunch duty at school, I was kind of embarrassed because of course we are trying to instill good manners at home. I know we are going to have to look into this too, because he just can't seem to correct it himself. I was thinking regular pediatrician and then ENT.
When my son does chew with his mouth closed, sometimes it looks awkward or uncomfortable, but he says it doesn't.
Please keep us updated what the doctor says.
|
|
|
|
Post by LAM88 on Jul 9, 2014 0:00:48 GMT
When my son does chew with his mouth closed, sometimes it looks awkward or uncomfortable, but he says it doesn't. I've noticed the same thing. It's very unnatural and forced looking, whereas for the rest of us it comes naturally. |
|
I've never heard of that and just with a quick experiment I find I can't either and not only that, it's uncomfortable to even try. Weird. 
