At 16 months, a tonic bite reflex is present when the spoon contacts the teeth. Which statement is true?

At 16 months, a tonic bite reflex is present when the spoon contacts the teeth. Which statement is true?

• A. The tonic bite reflex disappears at 16 to 18 months
• B. Pulling against the bite reflex will release the bite
• C. Dimming the lights and quiet voices during feeding can reduce the frequency of the reflex
• D. Sensory stimulation of the faucial pillars will reduce the reflex

Answer: (C)

When a tonic bite reflex persists at 16 months, the feeding plan focuses on reducing the child’s arousal level to lessen the reflex trigger. Dimming the lights and using quiet voices during feeding lowers sensory input, helping the child stay calmer and less likely to clamp the jaw when the spoon touches the teeth. This sensory-modulation approach is a practical way to decrease how often the reflex appears and improveafe safety during meals. Other ideas don’t fit as well because simply hoping the reflex will disappear by a certain age isn’t reliable when it’s still present. Pulling against the bite reflex can reinforce the response or cause guarding, rather than reducing it. Stimulating the faucial pillars is typically used to promote swallowing rather than diminish a bite reflex, so it doesn’t address the issue here.

When a tonic bite reflex persists at 16 months, the feeding plan focuses on reducing the child’s arousal level to lessen the reflex trigger. Dimming the lights and using quiet voices during feeding lowers sensory input, helping the child stay calmer and less likely to clamp the jaw when the spoon touches the teeth. This sensory-modulation approach is a practical way to decrease how often the reflex appears and improveafe safety during meals.

Other ideas don’t fit as well because simply hoping the reflex will disappear by a certain age isn’t reliable when it’s still present. Pulling against the bite reflex can reinforce the response or cause guarding, rather than reducing it. Stimulating the faucial pillars is typically used to promote swallowing rather than diminish a bite reflex, so it doesn’t address the issue here.