What is the TalkTools® Bite Tube Set?

The TalkTools® Bite Tube Set is a clinician-designed program for assessing and training jaw movement. Therapists don’t have to guess how the jaw moves. They use color-coded tubes in a set order to practice controlled bite-and-release.

Within Oral Placement Therapy (OPT), Bite Tubes complement other tools such as the Jaw Grading Bite Blocks. Because of this, the Bite Tube Set is included in the OPT Starter Bundle so clinics can standardize early jaw work from the start. Typical goals include:

• Improving jaw stability so the jaw does not “wander” side to side
• Building symmetry so both sides of the jaw work together
• Training jaw grading, which is the ability to open and close the mouth just the right amount

These skills can then carry over into chewing, early feeding skills, and speech clarity.

Why Jaw Stability and Grading Matter

Before a child can chew a wider range of foods or make certain speech sounds, the jaw often needs a strong and stable base. When the jaw moves in a jerky, uneven way, it can be harder to:

• Bite through foods safely
• Move food from side to side in the mouth
• Keep lips closed and tongue in the correct place
• Produce clear consonants and vowel sounds

The Bite Tube Set targets these areas through repeated, purposeful bite-and-release practice. With help from an SLP/SLT or OT, many children slowly learn to control how wide and how quickly their jaw opens and closes. This improved control may then support safer chewing patterns and more precise speech movements.

What’s included

The Bite Tube Set gives you everything you need to start a basic bite-tube program:

• 1 red Bite Tube
• 1 yellow Bite Tube
• 1 purple Chewy™
• 1 green Chewy™
• TalkTools instruction booklet

The instruction booklet has helpful information. It includes ideas for getting started, safety rules, and examples of how to use the Bite Tube Set in a bigger OPT plan. However, it does not replace a professional evaluation. A trained clinician should still decide how and when to use the tubes.

How the Bite Tube Hierarchy Works

Therapists use the Bite Tube Set in a graded way, moving from easier tasks to more challenging ones. In general, the process looks like this:

1. Assessment. First, the clinician observes how the child currently uses their jaw. For example, they may check jaw alignment, strength, fatigue level, and oral habits like grinding or chewing on clothes.
2. Choosing a Starting Tube. Based on what they see, the clinician selects a tube that allows the child to bite successfully with good form. The starting point should feel achievable, not frustrating.
3. Practicing Bite-and-Release. The child practices gentle, controlled bite-and-release movements on the chosen tube. The therapist watches for jaw stability, symmetry, and smooth, graded opening and closing.
4. Gradual Progression. As control improves, the clinician may change tube options, adjust the number of repetitions, or increase how long the child bites. Progression is always based on performance, not on a fixed timeline.
5. Generalization to Chewing and Speech. The Bite Tube exercises help with real-life skills, like early chewing and the jaw movements needed to make speech clearer.

Because the steps are in order, it’s easy for the child and therapist to see where to start and how to move on safely.

Benefits and Common Use Cases

The Bite Tube Set is flexible and can serve several helpful roles in therapy. For example, it can:

• Build jaw stability, symmetry, and graded movement. Repeated, guided practice helps the jaw learn to open and close in a more controlled way.
• Support chewing readiness and feeding programs. When the jaw is more stable, it is easier to introduce new textures and to work toward more advanced chewing skills.
• Promote speech clarity. Some speech sounds are easier to produce when the jaw is stable and moving in a predictable pattern. While the Bite Tubes do not “teach” sounds directly, they can help create the underlying movement control that speech work can build upon.
• Provide structured oral input and TMJ stimulation. With a clinician’s guidance, the tubes give the jaw and TMJ clear, organized input. This may help some learners who seek oral stimulation.
• Offer an acceptable alternative to certain oral habits. When a professional guides you, Bite Tubes and Chewys can be a safer choice. They can help with habits like teeth grinding or thumb sucking, especially during therapy tasks.

Remember, the Bite Tube Set is a therapeutic tool, not a general chew toy. Therefore, it should be used in short, purposeful sessions, rather than all day.

Who it’s for

The Bite Tube Set is intended for:

• Speech-Language Pathologists / Speech and Language Therapists (SLPs/SLTs)
• Occupational Therapists (OTs)
• Trained caregivers working under professional guidance

It is commonly used with children who need support for:

• Jaw control and alignment
• Early chewing skills
• Oral-sensory regulation and seeking behaviors

The set may be used in clinics, schools, or home programs. However, it should always be part of a plan created by a qualified clinician. Activities should match the learner’s age, developmental level, and sensory needs. No medical claims or guarantees are made or implied.

Step-by-Step: How to Use the Bite Tube Set (Quick Start)

Use these steps as a general overview. Always follow your clinician’s specific instructions:

1. Review the Instruction Booklet and Plan. Start by reading the TalkTools booklet so you understand safety guidelines. Then review the plan your clinician has created.
2. Choose the Starting Tube. Use the tube your clinician recommends as the starting point. The goal is comfortable, successful bites with good alignment and posture.
3. Set Up Good Positioning. Make sure the learner is seated securely, with feet supported and head in a neutral position. Good body alignment supports better jaw control.
4. Cue Gentle Bite-and-Release Repetitions. Help the learner take gentle bites on the tube and then release. Encourage smooth, even movements rather than fast or clenched bites. Watch for signs of fatigue, frustration, or discomfort and stop if they appear.
5. Monitor Breathing and Regulation. Throughout the activity, remind the learner to breathe regularly. If they seem overly excited or upset, pause the task and help them return to a calm state.
6. Increase Challenge Gradually. Only increase the number of repetitions, the length of bites, or the tube’s difficulty as your clinician directs. Progress should feel steady, not rushed.
7. Link to Other OPT Tools. When needed, your therapist may use the Bite Tube Set with other tools. These may include Jaw Grading Bite Blocks, the Straw Kit, or the Horn Kit. Together, they help build a complete OPT program.

Adult supervision is required at all times.

Care, Cleaning, and Safety

Proper care keeps the Bite Tube Set safe and ready to use:

• Cleaning Between Users. Hand-wash the tubes with mild soap and warm water, then rinse and allow them to air-dry completely.
• Inspection for Wear. Before each use, check the tubes for cracks, tears, or other signs of damage. If any part looks worn, replace it.
• Optional Cleaning Support. For clinics that use the Bite Tube Set with multiple clients, the TalkTools Cleaning Kit can support a thorough, safe hygiene routine.
• Safety Notes
  • Use only as directed and always under adult supervision.
  • Small parts may pose a choking hazard.
  • This product is not a toy.
  • The information in this guide is not medical advice. It does not replace a consultation with a healthcare professional.

How the Bite Tube Set Fits Within OPT

Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) is a hands-on approach for building speech and feeding skills. It uses tools, touch cues, and planned movement patterns. In this approach, the Bite Tube Set has a clear role: it trains dynamic jaw movement.

• Bite Tubes focus on controlled opening and closing during movement.
• Jaw Grading Bite Blocks focus more on isometric strength and stability at set jaw heights (positions 2–7).
• Straw Kit supports tongue retraction, jaw grading, and lip rounding through a 12-step drinking hierarchy.
• Horn Kit focuses on airflow and breath support. It is often used with jaw programs for motivation and better breath control.
• The OPT Starter Bundle brings these core tools together, including the Bite Tube Set. It helps therapists and families follow one consistent plan from the clinic to home.
• Used together, these tools help build a foundation for clearer speech and safer, more efficient feeding skills.

FAQs

Related terms

• Oral Placement Therapy (OPT) is a hands-on approach. It uses tools and step-by-step hierarchies to build the movements needed for speech and feeding.
• Jaw Grading Bite Blocks: Isometric jaw work at specific heights used alongside Bite Tubes. 
• Bite Tube – Red / Yellow: Single-tube options used within the hierarchy or for replacements.
• Straw Kit: A 12-step drinking hierarchy for tongue retraction, grading, and lip rounding.
• Horn Kit: A motivational airflow hierarchy that pairs well with jaw programs.
• OPT Starter Bundle: Bundle that includes Bite Tube Set plus Straw, Horn, Bubble, and Bite Blocks.

Resources

• Blog: Bite Tubes 101: A Tool for Better Jaw Movement — when to use them, goals, and tips. 
• Ask a Therapist: Differentiating Between Bite Blocks and Bite Tubes — choose the right tool based on assessment. 
• About OPT: Oral Placement Therapy overview.