Tongue Thrust

Question 1

What is tongue thrust?

Answer 1

Infants swallow by pushing tongue forward, but by age 6 most kids change to normal swallow, squeezing tongue against roof of mouth.

Question 2

What causes tongue thrust?

Answer 2

Hereditary- parents
Learned behaviors-thumb
Delay in oral maturation- teeth etc

Question 3

Symptoms of tongue thrust

Answer 3

Grimace/pursing lips while swallowing
Mouth breathing bc of allergies or large tonsils
Open bite condition, tongue forward at rest
Difficulty with s, z

Question 4

What are indications of tongue thrust?

Answer 4

Irregular teeth position
Difficulty making certain sounds
Major orthodontic work

Question 5

Where should tongue be?

Answer 5

Alveolar ridge

Question 6

How to manage tongue thrust?

Answer 6

Appliances- tongue cage, plastic app
OM exercises for lips, tongue, jaw
Swallow right hw
Only work with kids who are mature enough to work and understand on own

Question 7

Tongue thrust is aka

Answer 7

Reverse swallow, immature swallow