The Side Biter Level 2
Resources for medical professionals
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Develop effective, safe swallow activation and frequency for swallowing saliva containing food information such as flavor, juices, food fragments.
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Improve effective, safe oral sensory skills via controlled, gradual food flavor, texture and particles enter the mouth.
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Improve saliva control and swallowing given gradual increase in food stimulation in the mouth which is guided by the therapist.
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Increase tongue and oral motor skills by gradually introducing flavor and food particles into the mouth.
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Improve muscular control for chewing with mandibular jaw action moving foods in the mouth to form a gradual bolus for swallow activation.
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Develop of independent, self-feeding development when patient can hold the Side Biter while chewing therapeutic food.
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Advancement to the next cylinder level must be determined by a medical assessment of safe oral and swallowing skills.
Designed for therapeutic use to support safe, effective eating
Not designed as a feeding utensil
The Level 2 Side Biter is a clear silicone cylinder that is specifically designed to allow flavor and food particles to enter the mouth on one side of the device through 5 holes. The holes allow limited food information to flow through the soft tip into the mouth as the patient chews on the cylinder. Holes are on one side to allow the therapist to guide the food to molars, inner cheeks or side of the tongue based upon their skilled assessment of patient needs. The patient takes the biter out of the mouth to activate a swallow in dysphagia therapy.
The Side Biter Level #2 can be used therapeutically to: