Two Thumbs Up: Understanding and Treatment of Thumb Sucking
Ruppert, Nancy ; Mills, Galen ; Mills Com, Christine S.
Synopsis "Two Thumbs Up: Understanding and Treatment of Thumb Sucking"
Two Thumbs Up is an accumulation of Christine's experiences and orofacial myology expertise comprised of forty years in private practice, eighteen years teaching at University of Detroit Mercy orthodontic department, and teaching COM(R) (Certified Orofacial Myologist) Certification Track Courses. Two Thumbs Up understanding and treatment of thumb sucking a Guide for Parents and Professionals by Christine Stevens Mills takes an in-depth look at the complexity of thumb sucking, complications and ramifications related to the oro-facial structures and beyond. Connections are made between chronic sucking patterns and possible changes in structures and functions, breathing patterns, rest postures, speech, and unrealized educational, social, emotional, and family dynamic complications that develop.Thumb sucking is more than Just a Simple Habit. It is a multi-faceted complex pattern that can affect mind and body. Chronic thumb sucking can cause more than misalignment of the teeth. Every body part is connected, when chronic thumb sucking persists dysfunctions may develop due to other body parts adapting and compensating when normal functions are disrupted. Parents, Patients (thumb suckers) and Professionals all have key roles in thumb sucking elimination. When parents have thumb sucking concerns. Two Thumbs Up provides a guide to discuss, interpret, process possibilities, expanding insight and decision making. Professionals; the health care specialist and allied health care professionals are sought out by parents looking for answers, guidance and help. The Professional Connection chapter provides detailed information regarding the structural, functional and chemical changes that occur from chronic sucking patterns and how these changes affect your patients when not addressed. Two established thumb sucking elimination techniques are presented describing and comparing, a habit breaking appliance and behavior modification, their pros and cons. A sample step by step program is also presented including therapeutic protocols, strategies, helpful hints and pitfalls to avoid that may help therapists beginning their allied health care career. When parents/patients/professionals connect information, recognition and treatment the result is what she likes to call, Total Patient Care. Desire + Awareness + Education = SUCCESS!
