5 Everyday Habits That May Affect Your Child’s Oral Development

(For parents | SEO phrase: oral development habits in children)

The little habits worth noticing

Children grow through everyday routines: sleeping, eating, talking, playing, and resting. Those routines also give parents clues about how the lips, tongue and jaw work together. A habit is not automatically a disorder, but a persistent pattern is worth discussing with a qualified professional.

1. Keeping the mouth open while resting

Notice whether your child frequently watches television, reads, or plays with the lips apart. An open-mouth posture can have different explanations, including nasal obstruction. Rather than asking a child to force the mouth closed, speak with a healthcare professional if the pattern persists.

2. Thumb-sucking or prolonged pacifier use

Sucking habits are common in early childhood. Their frequency, intensity, and duration matter when considering dental and oral development. Your child’s myofunctional therapist can help determine when a habit warrants support and how to address it without shame.

3. Resting the tongue between the teeth

The tongue has a role in speech, swallowing, and resting oral posture. If it repeatedly rests between the teeth, an individualized assessment can help distinguish a temporary behavior from a functional concern.

4. Struggling with certain textures or chewing

Some children avoid foods for reasons unrelated to oral muscle function. However, consistently taking unusually long to chew, having difficulty moving food, or frequently coughing during meals deserves attention. Coughing or choking with food should be assessed promptly by an appropriate medical or feeding specialist.

5. Snoring or restless sleep

Regular snoring is not something to simply dismiss as a childhood habit. A pediatrician or sleep specialist can evaluate possible sleep-disordered breathing and decide whether ENT assessment or sleep testing is indicated. Orofacial myofunctional therapy does not replace this medical evaluation.

What parents can do next?

Observe patterns across different days without attempting to diagnose your child. Bring your notes to the pediatrician, pediatric dentist, or another appropriate professional. Where indicated, an orofacial myofunctional evaluation may explore tongue and lip posture, swallowing patterns, and oral habits as part of coordinated care.

An informed first step

Schedule an individual evaluation at OMT of New York: (516) 260-8160 | info@omtofnewyork.com. In-person care in Oyster Bay, New York; ask about online consultation availability and suitability.

Editorial references: Further reading: ASHA, Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (asha.org/Practice-Portal/Clinical-Topics/Orofacial-Myofunctional-Disorders/); 2025 scoping review, PMID 40166722 (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40166722/).