A tongue thrust, or a tongue thrust swallowing pattern, is the most recognizable sign that you or your child may need myofunctional therapy. A tongue thrust occurs when the tongue pushes forward during a swallow. The most problematic aspect of this condition is where the tongue rests in the mouth.
When someone has this condition, the tip of the tongue rests against or between the front teeth, and the entire tongue is positioned low in the mouth. Ideally, the tongue should rest in the top of the mouth and provide an internal support system for the upper jaw.
It is important to recognize that a tongue thrust is a symptom. It can be an indicator of other health concerns involving the airway and breathing. When this kind of swallowing pattern is present, it’s almost inevitable that mouth breathing and an open mouth resting posture will also be found.
Do I Have a Tongue Thrust?
Below are three of the most common signs to determine if you, or your child, have a tongue thrust:
- Mouth breathing is the most obvious sign – the mouth is open at rest, and the tongue is often forward or sticking out.
- Speech concerns, especially lisping, can be a sign, as are general problems with articulation, rate of speech, and vocal quality.
- Sucking habits, especially thumb sucking, can cause a tongue thrust to occur. When the thumb is constantly in the mouth, the swallowing pattern of the tongue develops incorrectly. It is important to realize that even when the sucking habit has stopped, the condition usually still remains.
What Can Be Done to Fix It?
The only way to completely eliminate a tongue thrust is to learn new habits. The only way to learn new habits is to go through an exercise-based therapy program that retrains the muscles and the mind.
My myofunctional therapy treatment is individually created for each patient’s specific needs, so that any tongue related issues can be easy to eliminate for you or your child. For more information on my how I treat patients and to get in touch, click here for my contact form.
