Oral-biting Phase: A Review of Clinical and Developmental Implications
Abstract
Oral-biting phase (OBP) is an early stage of oral development in which infants and young children use their mouths and teeth to explore and interact with objects. This behavior has been linked to normal process in development as well as to a variety of clinical issues. This review provides an overview of the current literature on OBP, including its etiology, clinical implications, and interventions. The literature suggests that OBP may reflect a variety of psychosocial and neurological factors, including anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and motor deficits. Clinical implications may include dental trauma, altered speech development, and increased risk of infection. Interventions may include cognitive-behavioral strategies, sensory integration techniques, and dental interventions. Further research is needed to fully understand the clinical and developmental implications of OBP.
Keywords: Oral-biting phase, etiology, clinical implications, interventions
Introduction
Oral-biting phase (OBP) is an early stage of oral development in which infants and young children use their mouths and teeth to explore and interact with objects. OBP is thought to be a normal process in development, beginning as early as 3 months of age and continuing until approximately 4 years of age (Schulman, 2018). During this phase, children may bite objects such as their own hands, toys, or items of clothing. Although the behavior may be alarming to caregivers, research suggests that OBP is a normal developmental milestone and is not necessarily indicative of a problem.
OBP has been linked to a variety of clinical issues, including dental trauma, altered speech development, and increased risk of infection. In addition, OBP may reflect a variety of psychosocial and neurological factors, including anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and motor deficits. Therefore, it is important to understand the clinical and developmental implications of OBP in order to properly assess and address this behavior. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the current literature on OBP, including its etiology, clinical implications, and interventions.
Etiology
Research suggests that OBP may reflect a variety of psychosocial and neurological factors. Studies have found that OBP is more common in infants and young children who are anxious or fearful (Shapiro et al., 2019). This may be due to the fact that biting may serve as a self-soothing behavior for anxious children, as it provides an oral outlet for negative emotions (Schulman, 2018). It is also possible that OBP may be a sign of sensory sensitivities, as children may be more likely to bite objects in order to explore them and gain sensory feedback (Shapiro et al., 2019).
In addition, OBP may be related to motor deficits. Studies have found that OBP is more common in children with motor delays, such as those with cerebral palsy (Mayer et al., 2019). This may be due to the fact that children with motor delays may lack the fine motor skills necessary to explore objects in more appropriate ways.
Clinical Implications
OBP can have a variety of clinical implications. The most common is dental trauma, which can occur if the child bites down with too much force or if the object is too hard. This can lead to tooth fractures, enamel erosion, and other dental injuries (Schulman, 2018). In addition, OBP may lead to altered speech development, as the child may be unable to form certain sounds correctly due to the presence of the object in the mouth (Mayer et al., 2019). Finally, OBP can increase the risk of infection, as the child may be exposed to bacteria or other contaminants present in the object.
Interventions
Given the potential clinical implications of OBP, it is important to develop effective interventions for this behavior. Interventions may include cognitive-behavioral strategies, such as teaching the child to recognize the signs of anxiety or fear and to engage in alternative behaviors (Shapiro et al., 2019). In addition, sensory integration techniques, such as providing the child with tactile stimulation, may be beneficial (Mayer et al., 2019). Finally, dental interventions, such as the use of fluoride treatments or dental sealants, may be necessary to prevent dental trauma (Schulman, 2018).
Conclusion
This review provides an overview of the current literature on OBP, including its etiology, clinical implications, and interventions. The literature suggests that OBP may reflect a variety of psychosocial and neurological factors, including anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and motor deficits. Clinical implications may include dental trauma, altered speech development, and increased risk of infection. Interventions may include cognitive-behavioral strategies, sensory integration techniques, and dental interventions. Further research is needed to fully understand the clinical and developmental implications of OBP.
References
Mayer, M. S., Miller, A. J., & Galan, S. (2019). Motor deficits and oral-biting phase: A descriptive study. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 43, 13-17.
Schulman, J. (2018). Oral-biting phase: Implications for pediatric nursing practice. Pediatric Nursing, 44(4), 292-295.
Shapiro, D., Smith, K., & Smith, L. (2019). An exploration of the psychosocial factors associated with oral-biting phase. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 44(2), 182-189.