What can someone with oral fixation use to control their urges?

Answer 1

Well, honey, they can try Chewing Gum, munching on some carrot sticks, or sucking on hard candies. Just make sure they don't go overboard and end up with a jaw workout instead of satisfying that oral fixation. Remember, moderation is key, darling.

Answer 2

There are numerous ways to suppress an oral fixation, and the success is dependent upon each individual and the severity of the problem.

Perhaps one of the greatest and most life threatening oral fixations is tobacco smoking. The habit maybe developed through social settings, in which a person partakes in smoking as a means of socializing, whether perceived as cool among peers or convenient within the work place. While smoking cigarettes is a drug addiction, it typically becomes an oral fixation onset by repeated use of cigarettes as a pacifier. This pacifier can be related to stress, change in environments and various other scenarios. Whatever the reason for creating a pacifier, the dependant person must overcome the mental struggle associated with it. Much like an infant, the dependent can grow out of their symptoms, but it will not happen unless a desire for change truly exists.

Another common fixation is chewing. It is common for children to bite nails, chew on clothing, toys, bottle caps or straws, bite other children or chew on soft plastics and a handful of other cases, tobacco adding to common adult habits. Because children are discovering the mouth and the changes as their adult teeth come in, chewing becomes an innate part of their nature. It is normal for this habit to carry on for a year to two years. Some situations, it is good to prevent the child from developing a habit, for instance biting other children or their own bodies; in the cases of nail biting and clothing fixations, the child will often grown out of it on their own. If not, the following steps are a means of progression.

There are two methods of dealing with an oral fixation -- supplementation and elimination. Again, the best method is specific to the person. Supplementation uses a secondary object to eliminate the oral condition. In the case of tobacco habits and fingernail biting, gum or small candies are quick and easy substitutes. Another method of eliminating the habit is finding a more permanent chewing object, like a plastic toothpick or a plastic straw that has been cut into shortened segments.

The straw is particularly favorable in dealing with smoking habits because of its shape and grip. Plus it eliminates excess sugars from entering the mouth. When an urge is felt, substitute the fixation with one of numerous ingestible products or those that can be placed in the mouth. Granted, an overall focus needs to be placed on the health of your mouth, so it is not always best to substitute one bad habit with another potentially bad habit. Any excessive chewing can cause the teeth to develop unnatural wear and even damage enamel. Additionally excessive sugars can lead to cavities or worsened teeth conditions.

The second means of getting over an oral fixation is through elimination. Both elimination and supplementation methods can be immediate or gradual. Some people have the discipline to immediately give up whatever fixation is problematic. This takes great focus and motivation in stimulating the mind to suppress the urges the body feels, even in the case of cigarettes. Since the urges are primarily psychological, any person is capable of simply eliminating a problem, but they must overcome the mind's desire to fulfill oral contact.

If the change is immediate, try to eliminate all reminders of the fixation. For instance, a smoker would remove all facets of cigarettes from their routines -- that means the tobacco, ash trays, pipes, lighters and any other reminders. Often, cigarette smokers complain that they no longer feel the effects of the tobacco because the habit has become so rigorously instilled. In this situation, the body has developed a need for the tobacco as a daily chemical. This is an example of a chemical and physical control. The same applies to chewing tobacco, except the means of ingestion are different. A person that quickly gives up the need for tobacco might go through phases of relapse where they develop irritability, headaches, drowsiness and other physical drawbacks, but these symptoms can be reduced by lengthening the amount of time needed to wean the body from the addiction.

In the case of a gradual pullback, it is suggested to develop a scheduled digression. In a case like this, allow the habit to continue for two or three days and prepare the mind for transition. At that point, allow your body to fulfill the habit on a daily basis, but reduce the number of occurrences throughout the day. As a smoker burning 10 cigarettes a day, cycle the cigarettes to an hourly basis, or one with a consistent time frame. Then, after three days of a set smoking schedule, reduce the number to eight, and extend the time between by an additional fifteen minutes. Then, progress to fewer cigarettes, until you are just under half of your starting point. Rather than eliminating more of the habit, continue to put more time between the habit, and this will naturally allow the mind to shift focus.

Similarly, in nail biting, eliminate fingers two at a time, starting with the pinkies. Because of its position, size and nature of the habit, the pinky is the smallest and most difficult to reach in comparison. Then progress to the thumbs, creating an outer barrier against chewing. If you find yourself chewing your fingers without recollection of bringing them to your mouth, use a store bought, polish formula with a pepper taste. These liquids can be found at most pharmaceutical areas. The taste of the polish does not act as a deterrent, but it is meant to be a reminded -- it is the tongue's alarm system telling your brain, "Hey, your finger is in your mouth, and you should know about it!!!" A person will soon get accustom to the taste, so unless the act of chewing is suppressed by thought, the polish will do no good.

Either habit should be continued with the same timed routine, gradually eliminating the problem altogether. Again, the time frame needed is individualized, so keep that in mind. Some people can successfully accomplish their goal in a matter of days, others weeks. The success is significant, not the timeframe, so maintain a focus on your goal if you truly intend on doing so. If relapse occurs, allow yourself the day of the mistake. The following day, get right back on schedule and do not start at the beginning! Pick up where you left off and discipline your mind to maintain the progress that was achieved.

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Concerning this article, none of the information provided has been collected from outside sources. The guidance provided is based on personal experiences and encounters and has not been tested. This article is based on opinion and conceptual ideas that simply offer one method to eliminating oral fixations. The process can be applied to any situation when the appropriate modifications are used. For additional guidance, contact a family physician or address the problems at your next regularly scheduled visit. Good luck!