What is Tongue Thrust?

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