How do you fix tongue thrust when swallowing?

How to Stop a Tongue Thrust at Home

1. Place a sugar-free lifesaver on the tip of your tongue.
2. Press the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, so that it’s pushing against the gum just behind your upper front teeth.
3. Bite your teeth together in your regular bite, keeping your lips apart.
4. Swallow.

What happens if you don’t correct a tongue thrust?

If tongue thrust is left untreated, it may lead to additional oral and health concerns, including the following: Open Bite Malocclusion (i.e. when the mouth is closed, your upper teeth don’t touch the bottom teeth, leaving a gap.) Dental Malformations. Breathing Difficulties.

How does tongue thrust affect swallowing?

When the tongue rests in a forward or downward position there is constant pressure on the teeth and jaw bone, which may affect the alignment of teeth and jaw development. Swallowing places even greater force on the lower teeth and jaw.

How should tongue move swallowing?

Improper Swallowing – When swallowing, your tongue should move up and back like a wave moving the food toward the back of your throat, not forward and down (this is called tongue thrusting). Tongue thrusting negatively affects the shape of your teeth and jaw.

How do you test for tongue thrust?

Detecting a tongue thrust swallower requires a hands-on approach. In a normal swallow, the tongue rests in the palate, the teeth come together, and a person swallows. The facial muscles (obicularis oris) do not move, so any lip puckering or licking of the lips before swallowing should be warning signs of tongue thrust.

Does tongue thrust go away?

In infancy, tongue thrust is a natural reflex that happens when something touches the baby’s mouth. This reflex causes the tongue to push out to help the baby breast or bottle-feed. As the child gets older, their swallowing habits naturally change and this reflex goes away.

Can a tongue thrust be corrected?

In addition to swallowing therapy, you or your child might require speech therapy to correct any impediments that may have developed as a result of tongue thrusting. Consistently following weekly therapy recommendations, tongue thrust may be corrected over time.

Is tongue thrust a disorder?

What is tongue thrust? Tongue thrust is a forward position of the tongue during rest, and a thrust against or between the teeth during swallowing and speech. A tongue thrust condition is sometimes called an orofacial (mouth and face) myofunctional (muscle function) disorder (OMD).

How long does it take to correct tongue thrust?

With an effective therapy plan in place, your child will see a significant drop in tongue thrusting within 8-12 weeks. Just remember: therapy sessions will guide and keep your child on the right track, but the major steps in this journey will come from following the exercise plan at home.

When should tongue thrust be treated?

When to See a Doctor Most children will outgrow a tongue thrust by age 6. If you see that your child’s tongue sticks out between their teeth when speaking, swallowing, or resting and they are past infancy, you should talk to your child’s healthcare provider.

Can tongue thrust be corrected in adults?

The most successful treatment for both children and adults is orofacial myology. This form of therapy corrects the placement of the lips, jaw and tongue which leads to correction of swallowing habits and open mouth. If treated, tongue thrust has a high success rate!

How do you know if you have tongue thrust?

You can check for the condition easily by placing a small amount of water in the mouth and parting the lips slightly while swallowing to observe the tongue. If a tongue thrust is present, the tongue will move forcefully forward while the water is being swallowed.