Sage is a tongue thruster, meaning when her tongue is at rest it is pushing forward against her teeth. Not good for teeth. She has had some speech therapy so it is not affecting her speech anymore, but she will need braces to help her teeth pull back in. Before we get braces, though the tongue has to be taught to stay away from the front, otherwise once the braces come off the teeth will end up going back. We tried several different exercises, tried to get her back into therapy to help it (insurance wouldn't cover) so after many consultations with the orthodontist we all, Sage included, decided to try the rake. A small contraption mounted behind the bottom front teeth with small spikes on it that forces your tongue to stay back (hopefully you can see the little metal spikes there). She had it put on yeaterday. She was ok when we left the dr.'s office, but by the time she got home from school later that same day. She hated the dentist and everyone else. It can't be easy. She has a hard time eating and saying some of her sounds. Hopefully, another day or so and she won't notice its there. (fingers crossed)
6 comments:
Poor Girl, hopefully she wont notice it even being there in a couple of days.
Ooh, that does not look comfortable. Hopefully, it will break the habit, though, for when it's off. Glad she got it AFTER her birthday.
Hope you enjoyed your birthday and party, Sage!!
That looks kinda painful, hopefully it gets better for her!
Ouch doesn't look to fun!
Hopefully all goes well. Keep us updated.
I had a few students that ended up with rakes. It only took about a week before their speech was back to normal. The last time I went to the dentist he told me I needed one!! That information would have been helpful about 20 years ago!!!
Dana
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