My 6 yr old is biting her lips to the point of hurting herself. She bites along the inside of her bottom lip and it is getting infected. I dont know how to stop her from doing it. Her lip is swelling up and now i am worried that she is going to cause some kind of permanint damage. if there is any one who can help it would be greatly appreaciated. Thank you
2006-10-26 17:32:08 · 15 answers · asked by summer1rose2000 1 in Health ➔ Dental
Definitely make an appointment with you doctor. Meanwhile, you might try getting her a "mouth guard"- the kind they use in sports. It will provide a barrier between her lips and her teeth and give her something else to chew. Or provide something else for her to chew, besides her lips...baby teething toy, chewing gum...but these should only be temporary solutions:
Often, kids chew things due to some kind of anxiety. You might also take her to see a counselor or therapist.
Really hope this helps.
2006-10-26 17:40:32 · answer #1 · answered by CloudRider9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry to hear that you are having such problems with your daughter. As a mother of 3 and someone who has worked in a dental office for years I understand what you are dealing with. When your mouth gets infected/swollen subconsciously you want to pay extra attention to that area. The vicious cycle can go on until it is broken. You need to figure out how to break the cycle. Involving people real time can help you to help your daughter the most, from a medical prospective and from an emotional one.
One suggestion would be to put a small wad of toilet tissue between her lip and her front teeth. While this suggestion sounds crazy, it would give the mouth a chance to heal without to much emotional stress. Many kids with braces do that so the braces don't cut into their mouths, it sounds crazy, but sometimes thinking outside the box is what you need.
Please keep in mind that children all do things that make their parents wonder, and it is our job to help our children to grow up to be the best they can be. You are a great mom, because if you weren't such a good mom you wouldn't be asking for help.
2006-10-27 01:43:50 · answer #2 · answered by samlevine05667 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why is she biting her lips? Is there a lot tension at home or at school? I think there is some underlying cause that is making her bite her lips. Repairing the lips is one thing. Stopping her from doing so is another matter.
2006-10-27 00:37:21 · answer #3 · answered by rokdude5 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's going to be o.k., even though it's causing you angst now.
She is just reacting to normal stresses associated with being six, i.e., developing relationships and/or thinking about things outside of the immediate household.
Since she's six, maybe something "special" she can do to protect her lips would help, like some special balm like chapstick or shea butter. This would give her a gadget that is special, and let her fiddle with her lips in a positive way. The positive attention may help her feel bigger, and give her a "yes" to focus on, instead of a "please don't."
I quick call to a pediatrician wouldn't hurt.
2006-10-27 00:37:03 · answer #4 · answered by rideitmark 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We all bite ourselves somewhere weather it be our fingernails, lip or the inside of or mouth.You said something about it being infected.That is the only thing i would be worried about with her.Now just think about what could make her so uptight about something to make her do this to where it raises your concern.If she bites untill it gets infected then i would think about taking her to the doctor.If not then its just a phase that will pass with age.
2006-10-27 01:10:52 · answer #5 · answered by Billy T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is a habit, it may be she is hypoglycemic, and doing in unconsciously in response to her body's need for more sugar in the blood stream. I bit my fingernails and would usually have a healing sore somewhere on my body (still do and I am 52 years old).
There is info on how to test your daughter for low blood sugar at www.hufa.org in the low blood sugar link. Test the whole family at once, because it can be passed genetically. My dad was a hypoglycemic too.
Check the symptoms link for other possible symptoms or behavorial indicators. Is she shy for her age, too?
2006-10-27 00:35:59 · answer #6 · answered by Pegasus90 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine did stuff like that too. Give her popsicles to help the swelling. It is probably just a nervous habit and part of a phase. She'll stop when it really starts to hurt.
2006-10-27 00:35:58 · answer #7 · answered by ginarene71 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First call your doctor. There is an ointment you can put on her lips to stop her from doing that. It tastes bad but it will stop her. Ask the doc about it.
2006-10-27 00:34:54 · answer #8 · answered by Lore 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put something on the lip that's shes biting that has a bad taste to it.
2006-10-27 00:42:03 · answer #9 · answered by diggi brian 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should take her to the doctor or put something in her lips that taste nasty and wen she tastes she wont want to bite her lips i guess ... but mostly take her to a doctor
2006-10-27 00:41:43 · answer #10 · answered by mari 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋