Tongue thrust
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2008-07-08T03:21:50Z
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'''Tongue thrust''' (also called "reverse" or "immature" swallow) is the common name given to orofacial muscular imbalance, a human behavioral pattern in which the tongue protrudes through the anterior [[incisors]] during [[swallowing]], [[Manner of articulation|speech]] and while the tongue is at rest. Nearly all young children exhibit a swallowing pattern involving tongue protrusion, but by the age of 6 most have automatically switched to a normal swallowing pattern.
Tongue thrusting can have extreme negative effects on your teeth and mouth. Many people who tongue thrust have openbites. People who tongue thrust do it naturally and are usually unaware that they are even doing. Therefore, people who tongue thrust should seek treatment to break their habit immediately before more damage to the mouth is done.
To correct tongue thrust, [[Speech and language pathology|speech pathologists]] prescribe exercises designed to promote a normal swallowing pattern.
UPDATE: Recent studies show the tongue training lessons have limited benefits and proper treatment should include the use of a dental appliance to keep the tongue away from the front teeth. The crib appliance and Bluegrass appliances are commonly used by dentists and orthodontists for this purpose. The website [http://www.tonguehabits.com] discusses the other considerations related to this condition.
==External links==
*[http://www.hsdc.org/You/Speech/tonguethrust.htm Hearing, Speech and Deafness Center: Tongue Thrust Disorders]
{{dentistry-stub}}
[[Category:Dentistry]]
[[Category:Speech and language pathology]]
The habit of pushing the tongue against the teeth or between the teeth during swallowing or speech (when it's uncalled for) is defined as "tongue thrust". It is commonly found in young children but it should progressively disappear during childhood and be absent in adults. Tongue thrust is usually treated by orthodontists and orofacial myofunctional therapists.