What is Tongue Thrust?
Tongue thrust
is the pushing of the tongue against or between the teeth while speaking,
swallowing or at rest. The average person swallows 2000 - 4000 times per day
and exerts pressure with each swallow. This can push the teeth out of alignment
and may cause distorted speech sounds.
What Causes Tongue
Thrust?
Thumb sucking and/or nail biting
Mouth breathing
Premature loss of "baby" teeth
Lack of muscle coordination
Hereditary factors
Enlarged tonsils & adenoids
What Oral Behaviors May
Be Present?
Sucks the thumb, fingers, tongue
Bites fingernails, pencils, etc.
Breathes through the mouth
Habitually rests tongue against or between the teeth
Drinks large amounts of liquid with meals, washing down the food
What treatment is
appropriate?
Based on the findings of an
evaluation by a speech therapist, specific goals are determined to meet the
needs of the individual, including, but not limited to:
Train the muscles necessary for a good swallow and
correct resting posture
Teach the correct swallow
Teach correct production of sounds to eliminate
incorrect speech
Eliminate undesirable oral behaviors
