How to Get Children to Stop Biting the Inside of Their Mouths
Generally, biting the inside of the mouth happens accidentally and it causes a cringe of pain when it occurs. Sometimes, people develop a disorder that involves causing physical injury or damage to the self, known as body-focused repetitive disorders, according to the Trichotillomania Learning Center website. If your child bites the inside of his mouth repeatedly, he may need intervention to stop the behavior.
Instructions
Assess your child to determine whether he is biting the inside of his mouth in a chronic way that serves as a means of dealing with emotions and anxiety. Cheek biting may occur with boredom or when unpleasant feelings such as frustration, anxiety and anger occur. Talk to your child about the biting to begin to help him understand that this behavior is not something he should be doing to himself. Tell your child that you understand that he feels compelled to bite the inside of his mouth and that you want to help him stop the biting. Check to see if your child exhibits any behaviors that could be related to the cheek biting, such as pulling hair, biting fingernails and picking skin. Sometimes more than one compulsive behavior occurs simultaneously, states the Anxiety & Agoraphobia Treatment Center website. Observe your child to note the times and situations in which he engages in these behaviors. It̵7;s likely that your child has adopted individual habits and patterns of behavior during which he feels compelled to bite his cheek or engage in other related behaviors. By noting these habits, you can report them to professionals providing treatment to aid in therapy. Seek professional advice from your child̵7;s physician regarding treatment options. The physician will likely recommend a therapist who may provide treatment including medication, behavioral and family therapy, advises the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy website. Cooperate with all recommended treatment plans for your child. You may need to help your child develop an awareness of when he̵7;s biting and what led up to the desire to bite. You might also help with habit reversal training, which involves untraining the biting habit and replacing it with another more positive habit. Provide encouragement and positive feedback for your child as he works to stop the biting habit. Work closely in an ongoing fashion with professionals to ensure that your child makes progress in a supportive environment. Previous:How to Use Positive Language With Kids With Autism Next:What Do You Do When You See Your Child Heading Down the Wrong Path?
