Tongue thrusting is the cause of several orthodontic issues. Tongue thrusting is more common of an issue than you would think. All newborns and infants push their tongue forward when swallowing. As the baby develops and grows, they must learn to correct the position of their tongue. Learning this too late can have an impact on a child’s orthodontic development and more. So, why does it have such an impact on the way the mouth forms?
Tongue thrusting is simply when the tongue is in the wrong position while at rest, swallowing, or during speech. This ultimately causes the tongue to push against the teeth. Naturally your tongue rests against the roof of your mouth, with the tip sitting just behind the front teeth.
The most common tongue thrusting position is when the tongue pushes too far forward, pressing against the back of the upper teeth or even slightly sticking out between the top and bottom teeth.
Results of tongue thrusting beyond an appropriate age can include:
• An open bite
• When tongue sticks out between the teeth while resting, swallowing, or speaking
• Mouth breathing
• A speech impediment- usually having a lisp when pronouncing the s and z.
Why is it a problem?
Braces, Invisalign or HealthyStart appliances correct alignment by using small and consistent amounts of pressure against the teeth. Similarly, consistent pressure from the tongue can create issues in how the mouth forms. An untreated tongue thrust can even reverse successful orthodontic work.
Causes
If you’ve ever fed a baby, you have probably noticed that they push most of the food out of their mouth, this is due to tongue thrusting. As they grow, the tongue position should develop into a healthy position, before age 6.
Genetics, an enlarged tongue, prolonged bottle or pacifier use and prolonged thumb sucking, are a few factors that can cause tongue thrusting.
When to seek treatment
Contact our dental clinic in McKenzie Towne if your child has an open bite, or a tongue thrusting problem. We will assess your child to identify whether tongue thrusting is the primary issue. In some cases, there can be other problems causing tongue thrusting. In this case, the primary concern would also need to be addressed by our dentist in McKenzie Towne.
Depending on the age of your child, the severity of the symptoms and effects on the development of their mouth, our dentist in McKenzie Towne may recommend a habit corrector appliance as part of the HealthyStart system. If necessary, our dental clinic in McKenzie Towne will design the best team for your child with an orthodontist, pediatric dentist, and my functional therapist to ensure that they will develop and function properly.