[Deleterious Oral habits]

ABSTRACT

Oral habits are learned patterns of muscle contraction and have a very complex nature. They are associated with anger, hunger, sleep, tooth eruption, and fear. Some children even display oral habits for release of mental tension. These habits might be nonnutritive sucking [thumb, finger, pacifier and or tongue], lip biting, nail biting and bruxing events. As these habits can result in damage to dentoalveolar system, hence, dentists play a crucial role in giving necessary information to parents. This information includes relevant changes in the dentoalveolar system and the methods to stop oral habits. Also, a dentist is required to treat the ensuing malocclusion