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| Structure | Stimulation steps | Frequency | Duration |
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| Cheek | (1) Place the index finger at the base of the nose.
(2) Compress the tissue, move finger toward the ear, then down, and toward the corner of the lip (in a C pattern).
(3) Repeat for the other side.
(i) Purpose: improve the range of motion and strength of cheeks and improve lip seal | 4x each cheek | 2 min |
|
| Upper lip | (1) Place the index finger at the corner of the upper lip.
(2) Compress the tissue.
(3) Move the finger away in a circular motion, from the corner toward the centre, and to the other corner.
(4) Reverse direction.
(i) Purpose: improve the lip range of motion and seal | 4x | 1 min |
|
| Lower lip | (1) Place the index finger at the corner of the lower lip.
(2) Compress the tissue.
(3) Move the finger away in a circular motion, from the corner toward the centre, and to the other corner.
(4) Reverse direction.
(i) Purpose: improve the lip range of motion and seal | 4x | 1 min |
|
| Upper and lower lip curls | (1) Place the index finger at the centre of the upper lip.
(2) Apply sustained pressure and stretch downward toward the midline.
(3) Repeat for the lower lip, apply sustained pressure, and stretch upward toward the midline.
(i) Purpose: improve the lip strength, range of motion, and seal | 2x each cheek | 1 min |
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| Upper gum | (1) Place a finger at the centre of the gum, with firm sustained pressure slowly move toward the back of the mouth.
(2) Return to the centre of the mouth.
(3) Repeat for the opposite side.
(i) Purpose: improve the range of motion of the tongue, stimulate swallowing, and improve sucking | 2x | 1 min |
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| Lower gum | (1) Place a finger at the centre of the gum, with firm sustained pressure slowly move toward the back of the mouth.
(2) Return to the centre of the mouth.
(3) Repeat for the opposite side.
(i) Purpose: improve the range of motion of the tongue, stimulate swallowing, and improve sucking | 2x | 1 min |
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| Internal cheek | (1) Place a finger at the inner corner of lips.
(2) Compress the tissue, move back toward the molars, and return to the corner of the lip.
(3) Repeat for the other side.
(i) Purpose: improve the cheek range of motion and lip seal | 2x each cheek | 2 min |
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| Lateral borders of the tongue | (1) Place a finger at the level of the molar between the side blade of the tongue and the lower gum.
(2) Move the finger toward midline, pushing the tongue toward the opposite direction.
(3) Immediately move the finger all the way into the cheek, stretching it.
(i) Purpose: improve the tongue range of motion and strength | 2x each cheek | 1 min |
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| Midblade of the tongue | (1) Place an index finger at the centre of the mouth.
(2) Give sustained pressure into the hard palate for 3 seconds.
(3) Move the finger down to contact the centre blade of the tongue.
(4) Displace the tongue downward with a firm pressure.
(5) Immediately move the finger to contact the centre of the mouth at the hard palate.
(i) Purpose: improve the tongue range of motion and strength, stimulate swallowing, and improve sucking | 4x | 1 min |
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| Elicit a suck | (1) Place a finger at the midline, centre of the palate, gently stroke the palate to elicit a suck.
(i) Purpose: improve sucking and soft palate activation | N/A | 1 min |
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| Pacifier | (1) Place a pacifier in the mouth.
(i) Purpose: improve sucking and soft palate activation | N/A | 3 min |
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