Defensiveness:

• Picky eater, often with extreme food preferences; i.e., limited repertoire of foods, selective about brands
• Resistive to trying new foods
• May only eat “soft” or pureed foods past 24 months of age
• May gag with textured foods
• Has difficulty with sucking, chewing, and swallowing, may choke or have a fear of choking
• May only eat hot or cold foods
• Dislikes or complains about toothpaste and mouthwash

Under register:

• May lick, taste, or chew on inedible objects
  Prefers foods with intense flavor; i.e., excessively spicy, sweet, sour, or salty
• Excessive drooling past the teething stage Frequently chews on hair, shirt, or fingers
• Constantly putting objects in mouth past the toddler years
  Acts as if all foods taste the same
• Loves vibrating toothbrushes and even trips to the dentist

-Interventions-
Defensiveness:

• Apply pressure to the oral (mouth) area (in and around the mouth) before eating and brushing teeth.
• Gum massage at an interval of 3-4 hours daily.
• Using an electric toothbrush for ease.
• Use cold items to decrease sensitivity
• Give rhythmic pressure starting from arms then shoulders and then cheeks

Under register:

• Blow bubbles/whistles/balloons
• Give hard candy/safe chew gum/chew tubes.
• Drink water/thick liquids (milkshake, smoothie, pudding) from a bottle that requires sucking/has a contorted straw.
• Give some hard and chewy texture things to eat.
• Encourage kids to sing or hum.
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