Oral aversion and oral fixation are two behaviors that can affect a child’s daily comfort, nutrition, and long-term kids oral health. Oral aversion typically manifests as a child avoiding oral activities such as eating or brushing, whereas oral fixation involves persistent mouthing of objects or fingers. These behaviors can appear in infants, toddlers, or even older children and often leave parents uncertain about the best next steps. (Source: Colgate, Oral Aversion & Oral Fixation Help, August 30, 2024, https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/kids-oral-care/oral-aversion-and-oral-fixation-help).
Woodlawn Kids Dental shares, “Parents often see oral behaviors before they hear any early speech or feeding concerns. One helpful approach is to pay attention to patterns rather than isolated moments. A single refusal or a single chewing habit doesn’t tell the whole story. What matters is how often it shows up and whether it changes during routine events like meals or a kid’s dental checkup. Tracking these patterns gives families clearer insight into what their child is trying to communicate.”
What Is Oral Fixation?
An oral fixation is when a child frequently uses their mouth for comfort, stimulation, or soothing. This can look like chewing on clothing, fingers, or non-food items. While it’s common in infancy, it can become more concerning if it continues well beyond early developmental stages.
Woodlawn Kids Dental comments, “When children rely heavily on oral habits, it often means their sensory system is asking for more information or more predictability. Instead of dismissing this as a ‘phase,’ families can look at it as a clue. For example, a child who chews when processing new environments may simply need a predictable rhythm or calming pause. Understanding this helps guide safer, healthier oral alternatives that support both development and kids’ oral health.”
How Do Oral Fixations Develop?
Oral fixations can develop for many reasons. Babies explore the world with their mouths, and some children continue this longer due to sensory needs, stress, or challenges with feeding transitions. Other times, medical or developmental factors contribute, making it harder for children to shift away from early habits.
Woodlawn Kids Dental highlights, “We’ve seen that some infants who experience early feeding challenges are more likely to carry oral habits into toddlerhood. Rather than focusing solely on stopping the behavior, it helps to look at the transitions that may have been rushed or difficult. A slower, sensory-aware feeding progression during infant oral care often builds confidence and reduces the need for long-term oral soothing behaviors.”
The Negative Effects of Oral Fixation
If persistent, oral fixation may impact a child’s teeth, speech, or comfort with varied textures. Chewing on non-food objects can also expose them to injury or germs. In some cases, prolonged fixation can interfere with eating routines or emotional regulation.
Woodlawn Kids Dental explains, “The concern isn’t only the habit itself but what the habit replaces. When a child relies on chewing to cope, it can delay the development of other self-regulation skills. We’ve noticed that shifting the environment—such as simplifying overstimulating mealtime setups or offering more predictable oral cues—often reduces the intensity of the habit before attempting to remove it entirely. This creates a gentler pathway that supports both comfort and kids’ oral health.”
Woodlawn Kids Dental adds, “Persistent oral habits can also shift a child’s natural bite pattern over time, which makes early dental growth harder to guide. Even small changes in how often a child chews or sucks on objects can influence how their jaw learns to move. When families notice these patterns early, they’re better able to support healthy oral development and protect long-term dental health.”
How Can You Stop Oral Fixations Developing?
Parents can help minimize oral fixations by offering age-appropriate oral stimulation, promoting safe chewing transitions, and supporting emotional regulation skills. Encouraging diverse textures during meals, maintaining steady routines, and giving children alternative sensory tools can also help.
Woodlawn Kids Dental mentions, “One overlooked strategy is giving children ‘preview time.’ When kids know what’s coming—whether it’s a new food, a sensory activity, or even a kids’ dental checkup—they often rely less on oral soothing. A simple countdown or letting them touch or smell something before it goes into their mouth gives their sensory system a moment to prepare. This reduces stress and naturally lowers fixation behaviors.”
Oral Fixation Treatment and Help
Treatment can include coordination with pediatric therapy, dental guidance, or feeding support. Many children benefit from a combination of sensory-based exercises, safe oral tools, and gradual exposure to new foods or oral tasks.
Woodlawn Kids Dental expresses, “Families can make progress faster when they view oral behaviors through a ‘curiosity lens.’ Instead of asking, ‘How do we stop this?’ it helps to ask, ‘What purpose is this serving?’ A child who bites during transitions may need a grounding cue; a child who avoids textures may need micro-introductions rather than full bites. We’ve seen that tiny, consistent wins in kids’ oral health—like accepting a new texture on their lips before accepting it in their mouth—build confidence without pressure.”
Oral aversion and oral fixation can be confusing for families, but they also offer opportunities to understand a child’s sensory needs and support their development. With patient observation, supportive routines, and early attention during infant oral care, children can gradually build healthier, more confident oral habits.
Woodlawn Kids Dental shares, “The most helpful mindset for parents is noticing progress, not perfection. Children often move forward in small steps, and each step tells us more about what helps them feel secure. With steady encouragement and thoughtful adjustments at home, families can support lasting comfort and healthy habits that strengthen overall children’s oral health.”
