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What is tongue thrust in adults?
What are the symptoms of tongue thrust?
What causes tongue thrust?
Jan 30, 2024 · Tongue thrust, a condition in which the tongue pushes against teeth or protrudes between them during swallowing and speaking, can significantly affect adults' oral health. In this article, we'll explore the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for tongue thrust in adults, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention.
- What is tongue thrust?
- Tongue thrust in babies
- Tongue thrust in adults
- How is tongue thrust diagnosed?
- Can tongue thrust cause other conditions to develop?
- How is tongue thrust treated?
- What’s the outlook for people with tongue thrust?
Tongue thrust appears when the tongue presses forward too far in the mouth, resulting in an abnormal orthodontic condition called an “open bite.”
The condition is most common in children. It has a myriad of causes, including:
•poor swallowing habits
•allergies
In babies who are breastfed or bottle-fed, tongue thrust is normal. As the child gets older, their swallowing and speaking patterns normally evolve.
However, some types of bottle nipples and pacifiers — and prolonged use of a bottle — can lead to an abnormal tongue thrust that lasts past the infant stage and into early childhood.
There are several other potential causes for tongue thrust that begin in infancy. Some of these include:
•long-term sucking habits that influence the tongue’s movement, like sucking of the thumb, fingers, or tongue
•allergies accompanied by chronically swollen tonsils or adenoids
•tongue-tie, where the band of tissue beneath the tongue is tight or short
You can carry tongue thrust forward into adulthood from untreated childhood habits or issues.
If you’re an adult with a tongue-thrusting issue, it could’ve developed because of chronic allergies or swelling of the adenoids and tonsils. Stress may also be a contributing factor.
There are reports of tongue thrust developing later in life, but it’s not common.
The symptoms of tongue thrust in adults are similar to those in children. Some symptoms, like messy eating, aren’t likely to be as apparent. You may thrust your tongue in your sleep.
In addition to the symptoms listed above, an adult with tongue thrust might’ve developed an elongated facial structure or appearance because of the inability to close their mouth and swallow normally.
They might also have a larger-than-normal tongue. Additionally, an open bite caused by tongue thrust can create trouble when eating. If the front teeth don’t meet properly, biting into certain foods can be uncomfortable.
A number of different healthcare professionals can diagnose tongue thrust, including:
•general practitioners
•pediatricians
•speech language pathologists
•dentists
•orthodontists
Left untreated, tongue thrust can cause malformed teeth.
When the tongue pushes against the back of the teeth, the pressure can make your front teeth move outward. This creates a gap, or open bite, between your middle top and bottom teeth.
Treatment for tongue thrust tends to be similar between children and adults.
One exception is the placement of an orthodontic device known as a “tongue crib” in the roof of a child’s mouth. This corrects an open bite. In some cases, adults receive orthodontic treatment as well.
Generally, orthodontic devices can offer good treatment. Work with your dental professionals to find the best treatment for you.
Sometimes the recommended treatment is orofacial myology. This is an ongoing therapy that corrects the placement of the lips, jaw, and tongue.
This therapy addresses swallowing habits, too. Corrections made to open bites without ongoing therapy have been observed to reverse themselves over time.
Your doctor may recommend addressing any nasal, allergy, or breathing issues that may be involved in your or your child’s tongue thrusting. Breathing issues must be resolved for swallowing therapy to succeed.
Tongue thrust is a highly treatable condition. A full recovery can be made if you commit to attending the appropriate therapy sessions your doctor recommends.
You may also need to address other underlying health conditions that contribute to your tongue thrusting. Once those conditions are treated and you stick to your treatment plan, tongue thrusting should resolve over time.
Jan 22, 2024 · The good news is that there are effective tongue thrust treatment options and strategies for adults that could help them regain oral health control and speech confidence. In this article, we'll explore the world of adult tongue thrusting, its causes, diagnosis, and various personalized therapy options to improve oral health and well-being.
Tongue thrust is a term that describes a swallowing pattern in which an individual pushes the tongue against or between the teeth. This habit has also been called deviate swallow, deviant deglutition, reversed swallow, perverted swallow, oral myofunctional disorder, visceral swallow, infantile swallowing pattern, and abnormal swallow.
- Sejal S Shah, Meenakshi Y Nankar, Vikas D Bendgude, Bhagyashree R Shetty
- 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1926
- 2021
- Mar-Apr 2021
May 17, 2023 · Explore proven strategies to combat tongue thrusting, from myofunctional exercises to practicing correct tongue and jaw positioning. Learn how to reclaim control over your oral health and enhance your swallowing mechanism with our comprehensive guide.
Apr 6, 2024 · Through targeted exercises, patients learn to achieve proper tongue movement during swallowing, speech, and rest, correcting the tongue thrust habit. Speech Therapy: In many cases, speech therapy is necessary to address the abnormal tongue position and correct the frontal production of specific speech sounds resulting from tongue thrust.
Tongue thrust becomes a condition when children and adults continue to push the tongue against their teeth or position their tongue forward between their teeth when speaking or swallowing. A tongue thrust condition is sometimes called a tongue thrust habit or orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD).
