A Complete Guide to Tongue Thrust: Humans are incredible creatures. We’re born with many adaptive reflexes that make it easy for even the smallest among us to survive in the world. But what happens when those reflexes persist beyond the age where they’re helpful?
For some children, the tonguethrust reflex becomes a problem. It can lead to physical, social, and physical problems over time. Specialists can reverse these problems, but how do you know if your child is struggling?
If you have questions about tonguethrust, then this TongueThrust Guide is for you. Read on to learn about the tongue-thrust reflex and what to do if it does not disappear in childhood.
What Is Tongue Thrust?
Have you ever gently touched a newborn baby’s cheek or run a finger along the bottom of a tiny foot? You will notice the natural reflexes that each infant is born with. Babies are miracles that automatically do what they need to do to survive in the world beyond the womb.
We call one of those miraculous reflexes the tonguethrust reflex. Newborn babies are born hungry and need so much sustenance to grow. This reflex is a reflex that encourages the tongue to “thrust” forward in the mouth when something touches the mouth or lips.
As a result, babies protect themselves from choking or ingesting anything other than milk. The reflex keeps them safe and alive.
With this safety net in place, babies can begin feeding as soon as they are born. It ensures that most infants can enjoy the mother’s nutrient-rich colostrum when only minutes or hours old. The tongue-thrust reflex is a positive adaptation that helps the most vulnerable humans to survive.
We typically don’t hear much about tongue thrust in infants because the reflex is more or less universal. As children grow, so does their awareness of body autonomy and muscle control. By about six months of age, the reflex slowly fades, and children’s swallowing habits adjust.
Tongue thrust only becomes problematic when the reflex does not fade away with time. Some children retain the tendency beyond infancy. This is when it becomes problematic and can lead to problems.
Tongue Thrust Beyond Infancy
When children have an abnormal tongue or lip position, specialists call it an oral myofunctional disorder. This is also true of tongue thrust. As children’s teeth begin to develop, the tongue’s pressure can lead to orthodontic, social, and aesthetic issues.
Orthodontic Issues
One of the most problematic tongue thrust symptoms is malocclusion or misaligned teeth. Misaligned teeth can lead to problems with chewing, general oral health and affect the structural integrity of the teeth themselves. Children with tongue thrust are more likely to experience cavities, gum disease, and major chips and cracks.
Children with tongue thrust may develop an open bite, meaning the teeth do not touch when they close their mouth. They may even develop an open mouth when at rest. Some children develop problems with mouth breathing as a result.
Speech and Language Issues
Many children with tongue thrust also develop problems with speech and language. They may struggle to clearly create the sounds that they need to speak and communicate. This can lead to problems with social relationships, academics, and agency.
The older the child gets, the more speech problems can begin to affect their social relationships. They may struggle to advocate for themselves, which means they may lack some independence. When teachers cannot understand them, it can be hard to assess what they know and understand, which can become frustrating for everyone.
All of these tongue thrust signs can get overlooked until the impairment becomes significant. If you have concerns about baby tongue thrust persisting, it’s appropriate to consult a pediatric dentist.
Treatment for Tongue Thrust
Because tongue thrust affects so many systems, there might be more than one professional involved in your child’s treatment. Often, the diagnosis begins at the pediatrician’s office. Others learn about their child’s tongue thrust after a pediatric dentist appointment.
From there, an orofacial myologist may get involved. These are professionals with specific training in disorders of the mouth and jaw. Some orthodontists have this special training and might be the right practitioner for your child.
Often, treatment begins with an orthodontic tool known as a tongue reminder, which will gently prevent the tongue from thrusting toward the teeth. Some children need specific physical therapy to address habits formed as a result of tonguethrust.
In some cases, children’s tonguethrust might be the result of a tongue-tie. When this is the case, the release of the tongue-tie is sometimes enough to correct issues.
If there is a problem with speech and communication, some speech and language therapy might be necessary. Speech pathologists often have training correcting problems with swallowing, whether or not there is a speech impediment.
Freedom From Tongue Thrust
Early treatment and intervention are important because they can prevent the symptoms from becoming severe. Over time, tonguethrust can change the shape of the skeletal structure, leading to changes in the shape of the face and jaw. If this happens, children may require expensive, long-term orthodontic treatment.
Luckily, problems with tonguethrust and swallowing are often caught at the pediatric dentist’s office. If your baby has even a single tooth, it’s not too soon to make your first appointment. When caught early, we can correct the tongue thrust, and children lead normal lives.
Are you interested in more articles about children’s health? Check out the rest of the blog for more posts that will keep your little ones feeling fine!
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