Tongue Thrust¶

Tongue thrusting is a common oral habit where the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing, speaking, or even while at rest. While it may seem minor, this habit can have a big impact on dental development, facial growth, speech, and breathing patterns — especially in children.

What Is Tongue Thrust?¶

A proper swallow involves the tongue pressing gently against the roof of the mouth. In a tongue thrust pattern, the tongue moves forward instead, often contacting or protruding between the front teeth. This repeated pressure can lead to:

• Misaligned teeth or orthodontic relapse
• Open bites or overjets
• Speech difficulties (especially with sounds like "S" or "Z")
• Ongoing mouth breathing
• Improper oral rest posture

Tongue thrust is not just a swallowing problem — it's usually part of a larger pattern of muscle dysfunction in the face and mouth.

Common Signs of Tongue Thrust¶

Tongue thrusting can occur at any age, though it’s most common in children. Some signs and symptoms include:

• Tongue visibly pushing forward during swallowing or speech
• Open bite (front teeth don’t touch when biting down)
• Frequent mouth breathing
• Lisp or distorted speech sounds
• Messy eating or excessive drooling
• Orthodontic issues that return after braces

Many people with tongue thrust don’t realize they have it — it often becomes a subconscious habit.

What Causes Tongue Thrusting?¶

There are several possible contributors to tongue thrust:

• Prolonged pacifier or thumb-sucking habits
• Bottle-feeding beyond infancy
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Chronic mouth breathing
• Tongue-tie (restricted tongue movement)
• Low muscle tone or poor oral posture

Since the tongue plays such a central role in swallowing, breathing, and speaking, even small imbalances can lead to long-term issues if left unaddressed.

How Myofunctional Therapy Can Help¶

Myofunctional therapy targets the root of tongue thrust by retraining the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face to function properly. Through a personalized program of exercises, therapy helps patients:

• Learn proper tongue posture (resting on the roof of the mouth)
• Establish nasal breathing
• Correct swallowing patterns
• Improve oral rest posture
• Support speech clarity and facial development

Therapy is non-invasive, and when started early — especially in children — it can prevent or reduce the need for more extensive dental or speech interventions later on.

Why Address Tongue Thrust Early?¶

Left untreated, tongue thrust can continue into adulthood and cause ongoing dental, speech, and breathing problems. It can also interfere with orthodontic treatment, causing teeth to shift back after braces.

Addressing tongue thrust through myofunctional therapy gives the tongue and facial muscles the foundation they need for proper function — promoting long-term oral health and stability.

Ready to Learn More?¶

If you or your child has signs of tongue thrusting, early intervention can make all the difference. Myofunctional therapy offers a proven, gentle, and effective way to correct these habits and support healthy development.