Known as cleft lip, cleft lip and palate, according to research, is present in one child in every 650 born in Brazil. Cleft lip and palate are congenital malformations of the lip and palate, considered craniofacial. They can be classified as anterior or posterior.
This congenital anomaly is considered one of the most common abnormalities, and the ideal is that the treatment is started in the mother's womb and, mainly, continued. The treatment of this malformation includes several specialists, such as speech therapist, psychologist, orthodontist, otolaryngologist, pediatrician, plastic surgeon, nutritionist, among others, so that the child can be fully rehabilitate.
Speech therapy rehabilitation is extremely important. In this particular case, the speech therapist works pre- and postoperatively in order to guide the initial phase of suction and food and sequentially seek the proper functioning of structures that have undergone changes as a result of malformation congenital.
The early intervention of speech therapy usually occurs with the following purposes:
Feeding: intervention in breastfeeding, guiding the type of bottle with the ideal nipple, the position of the child, among others. It is noteworthy that patients who underwent cheiloplasty (aesthetic lip surgery) during the post-surgery period are not allowed to use the bottle for 15 days. It is recommended to apply pasty and thin food for about three months.
Sensitivity: Exercises are applied that involve three levels of sensitivity: tactile, thermal and gustatory. This practice aims to provide patients with sensory stimuli in the anterior part of the oral cavity, preventing them from installing the practice of compensatory movements.
Oral Habits: Avoid vicious harmful habits with the potential for harmfulness such as:
• Mouth breathing;
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
• Finger, tongue, lips and cheeks suction;
• Use of pacifiers or bottles for longer than normal;
• Inadequate tongue posture during swallowing, phonation and posture (anterior projection of the tongue, causing exaggerated pressure on the upper teeth, lack of lip seal, phonetic changes, among others.)
• Inappropriate head postures in day and night activities;
• Postural inadequacies, such as sleeping on your stomach, with your hand or arm over your face;
Reading with the support of the face can lead to crossbite and inadequate chewing with all its consequences;
Language and Speech;
Hearing;
Neuropsychomotor Development;
By Elen Cristine M. Whitewashed Fields
Graduated in Speech Therapy and Pedagogy
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
CAIADO, Elen Cristine Maia Campos. "Cleft lip and palate and speech therapy intervention"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/fonoaudiologia/fissuras-labiopalatais-intervencao-fonoaudiologica.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.