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Tongue Thrust 

Tongue thrust is a condition where the tongue pushes against the teeth or forward in the mouth during speaking, swallowing, or at rest. Various dental, speech, and developmental problems can occur due to improper tongue positioning. A tongue thrust can be determined by evaluating the swallow pattern, and seeing if the tongue moves between the teeth or presses against the teeth, even when not drinking or eating. Over time, this habit can affect the alignment of teeth and the development of the jaw, leading to issues such as malocclusion (misaligned bite), speech difficulties, and facial muscle imbalances.

Myofunctional therapy is helpful for children and adults who exhibit chronic tongue thrusting habits. Often, therapy will be combined with orthodontic treatment such as braces, to address the issues created by the tongue thrust. Effectiveness is determined by early intervention, but can also be helpful for adults who have developed this habit over time.​

Causes of Tongue Thrust

  • Muscle imbalance: Tongue muscles that are weak or overactive can push the tongue forward against the teeth.

  • Oral habits: Prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, or mouth breathing during childhood can contribute to tongue thrust.

  • Nasal breathing issues: Mouth breathing can lead to tongue thrusting habits, possibly from a person's inability to breath through their nose due to allergies, structural issues, or other reasons. 

  • Structural issues: The tongue pressing against the teeth inappropriately could be caused by misalignment of teeth, a high and narrow palatal arch, a tongue tie, or other anatomical abnormalities in the mouth. 

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How Myofunctional Therapy Helps:

  1. Correcting Tongue Posture: Training the tongue to rest properly on the roof of the mouth when speaking or swallowing is a primary goal of myofunctional therapy. For proper dental and facial development, and the preventure of future malocclusion, proper tongue posture is essential.

  2. Improving Swallowing Mechanics: Myofunctional therapy teaches proper swallowing techniques. The tongue thrust habit can be eliminated by re-establishing normal oral function through training the tongue to press against the roof of the mouth during a proper swallow.

  3. Strengthening Facial and Oral Muscles: Muscle strenghtening exercises are used in myofunctional therapy to strengthen the tongue, lips and other muscles of the mouth. These exercises are used to improve muscle control of the tongue and ensure the tongue is moving appropriately during rest, speech, and swallowing. Correcting Oral Habits: Myofunctional therapy targets the root cause of tongue thrust, which could be oral habits such as thumb sucking, the use of a pacifier, or mouth breathing. Habit correction will teach healthier alternatives, and prevent the tongue thrust from re-occuring. 

  4. Improving Speech: Speech issues related to tongue thrust can be improved through myofunctional therapy. Improvement of articulation and speech impediments, such as a lisp can be improved through retraining tongue movements during therapy. 

  5. Preventing Future Dental Problems: The development of dental misalignments and other long term issues such as cross bites or abnormal jaw development may occur without the corretion of the tongue's resting position and the way it moves during swallow. Myofunctional therapy corrects these issues. 

 

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