Tongue thrust is a common behaviour that occurs from infancy to adulthood. Tongue thrust can also be known as reverse swallow and is a behavioural pattern in which the tongue is pressed up or against teeth during swallowing. This is normal in infants and they tend to grow out of it as their jaw muscles develop. Some children and adults however, can continue holding the trait.
When tongue thrust is ongoing, front teeth can be pushed out of alignment and cause speech difficulties. Even if a child or adult has braces to correct their teeth, if the habit of tongue thrust is still continuing, their teeth will be pushed out of alignment once again after the braces are removed. Tongue thrust therapy, in conjunction with orthodontic treatment can be a solution to this problem.
What happens before you start tongue thrust therapy?
Before starting tongue thrust therapy, an evaluation with an Orofacial Myologist will take place. This evaluation will observe any positive indicators of tongue thrust. These include things such as jaw, lip and teeth shape, speech sound errors and the mobility of the tongue.
Other factors such as allergies, thumb sucking, enlarged tonsils and adenoids or family genetics will also be taken into account as possible causes of tongue thrust.
What happens during tongue thrust therapy?
Tongue thrust therapy involves teaching exercises to strengthen jaw muscles. These exercises retrain the tongue to stay back from the front of the mouth when swallowing and speaking. Practicing these exercises eventually leads to the tongue staying in the correct position when resting, talking or swallowing.
How much tongue thrust therapy is needed?
Practicing exercises at home is an important part of reducing the time needed to partake in tongue thrust therapy. Therapy has a much high percentage of success when combined with the commitment and dedication of the patient.
What happens after tongue thrust therapy is a success?
After correcting tongue thrust, patients may undergo treatment for the mispronunciation of any speech sounds that may have occurred due to tongue thrust. They may also undergo orthodontic treatment during, or after tongue thrust therapy for misaligned teeth or an overbite which may have occurred as a result of tongue thrust.
Box Hill Pathology offer tongue thrust therapy with their Orofacial Myologist, Dr Vincent Borg, via face to face sessions or Skype.
Call Box Hill Speech Pathology to make an appointment for an evaluation today.
