Do your tongue thrust? Many people do and don’t even realize it. Tongue thrusting is when you push your tongue against your teeth, usually when you swallow. It’s a common habit in children, but it can also happen in adults. While tongue thrusting may not seem like a big deal, it can cause some serious problems. In this blog post, we will explore why tongue thrusting is dangerous and how you can stop doing it.
What Is Tongue Thrusting?
Tongue thrusting is a condition where the tongue protrudes past the teeth during resting and speech. It can cause several problems, including:
- Impaired speech development
- Malocclusion (bad bite)
- Gaps in the teeth
- Dental decay
Tongue thrusting is often caused by an underlying condition, such as enlarged tonsils, allergies, or mouth breathing. Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying condition and/or habits that contribute to tongue thrusting.
If your child’s tongue thrusts, it’s important to seek treatment to avoid long-term problems.
What Are The Dangers Of Tongue Thrusting?
Tongue thrusting is when the tongue protrudes between the teeth during swallowing. This can cause the teeth to become misaligned, and may also lead to speech problems. Additionally, tongue thrusting can put a strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which can cause pain and dysfunction.
Treatment for tongue thrusting typically involves myofunctional therapy, which is designed to retrain the muscles of the mouth and face. This type of therapy may include exercises to improve muscle strength and control, as well as education on proper tongue position and swallowing techniques. An orthodontic appliance may sometimes be worn to help keep the tongue in the proper position.
How Can You Stop Tongue-Thrusting?
If you or your child have a tongue thrust, there are things you can do to help.
Tongue thrusting is a habit that can be changed with effort and perseverance. Here are some tips:
1. Be aware of when your or your child’s tongue thrusts. It may be during specific activities such as eating, drinking, tooth brushing or talking.
2. Choose one activity to focus on at a time. For example, if you want to stop tongue thrusting while eating, make a conscious effort to keep your tongue behind your teeth while chewing.
3. Use positive reinforcement such as praise or rewards when you or your child succeed in keeping the tongue behind the teeth during the chosen activity.
4. Seek professional help if you or your child continue to tongue thrust despite your efforts to change the behaviour. A speech therapist can provide additional guidance and support.
Conclusion
Tongue thrusting is a dangerous habit that can lead to serious dental problems. If you find yourself tongue-thrusting, there are steps you can take to stop doing it. Talk to your dentist about why tongue thrusting is harmful and what you can do to break the habit. With their help, you can keep your teeth healthy and avoid costly dental problems down the road.
When at rest, the tongue is forced forward; when eating or speaking, the tongue is pressed against or between the teeth. An orofacial (mouth and face) myofunctional (muscle function) problem is another name for the ailment that causes tongue thrusting (OMD).
When anything touches a baby’s mouth in infancy, a normal instinct is to shove one’s tongue out. The tongue pushes out as a result of this reaction to aid in breastfeeding or bottle-feeding the infant. As a youngster gets older, their swallowing patterns gradually alter and this response disappears.