[Removal of sucking habits and myofunctional therapy: establishing swallowing and tongue rest position].

Background: The prolonged habit of pacifier sucking and the prolonged use of feeding bottle may cause myofunctional disorder, such as incorrect swallowing pattern and inadequate tongue rest position.

Aim: To study the effect of myofunctional therapy (MFT) associated with the removal of the habit of pacifier sucking and the use of feeding bottle (REM) on the rehabilitation of swallowing and tongue rest position.

Method: Two groups with ten children, ages ranging from four to four years and eight months, who initially presented a pacifier sucking habit and used the feeding bottle were studied. Children on REM group underwent the process of sucking habits removal using the Modified-Counselling Method, whereas children on MFT group underwent the same procedure associated to myofunctional therapy. Pre-treatment assessments were made, as well as 60 and 180 days post-treatment assessments. Data were analyzed using the statistical tests of Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon (p < 0.05).

Results: Results indicate that children in the MFT group presented adequate swallowing patterns after 60 and 80 days, and presented adequate tongue rest position after 180 days. Children on the REM group, however, presented adequate swallowing pattern only after 180 days and did not present a significant improvement on the tongue rest position during the assessments.

Conclusion: Myofunctional therapy associated to the removal of sucking habits presented a better and faster improvement of the swallowing pattern and of the tongue rest position.