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Tongue Thrust

Orofacial myofunctional disorders, or myofunctional impairments, are the chronic symptoms we have grown accustomed to dealing with day in and day out. We eventually perceive them to be normal or customary just because they have always been present. However, myofunctional impairments can be corrected through Myofunctional Therapy. Relief of these symptoms drastically improves quality of sleep, quality of life and quality of overall health and well-being. 

What are some of the symptoms of a myofunctional impairment?

  • Abnormal craniofacial growth and development (elongated face with retracted jaw)

  • Allergic shiners

  • Lip incompetence

  • Speech concerns

  • An increased need for orthodontia and orthodontic relapse

  • Eating and drinking concerns

  • Acid reflux and digestive concerns

  • TMJ issues, clenching or grinding

  • Chronic congestion

  • Chronic headaches

  • Night sweats and terrors

  • Prolonged bed wetting

  • Excessive daytime fatigue

  • Behavioral issues

  • Sleep Disordered Breathing (SBD)

What is a Tongue Thrust?

A tongue thrust (or improper swallow) is a condition that forces the tongue to push toward the teeth during the swallow. This is considered "improper" because the tongue is naturally supposed to push against the roof of the mouth when swallowing.

A tongue thrust can either be a learned behavior or the result of a tongue-tie. If a learned behavior, it is developed from habits adopted as a child such as digit sucking or the use of a pacifier. A tongue-tie results in low tongue posture, thus forcing the tongue swallow improperly. Mouth breathing can also result from a tongue thrust; however, the opposite is also true, a tongue thrust can develop from chronic mouth breathing.

Unfortunately, a tongue thrust is not always detected at a young age and can lead to problems with growth and development in children and then manifest into adulthood. When a tongue is thrusting toward the teeth, an open anterior or posterior bite can develop. This results in the some of the teeth not touching when upon biting. With an improper swallow, the tongue does not reach the roof of the mouth to properly bolus food during chewing and swallowing. The result can be a picky or messy eater. Trouble with aerophagia, or the swallowing of too much air, may also be present causing gas, bloating, an upset stomach or acid reflux.

Orthodontics is almost always necessary to close an open bite. However, the closure may only be temporary if the thrust is not corrected, even with orthodontic retention such as fixed and removable retainers. Into adulthood, symptoms such as mouth breathing, chronic congestion, increased digestive concerns, speech issues, TMJ issues, head or neck pain and Sleep Disordered Breathing (SBD) can manifest.

What can I expect from Myofunctional Therapy when treating a Tongue Thrust?

Myofunctional Therapy is the re-training or re-habituating of the muscles of the mouth and face. It is a natural way to correct a toxic habit, like a tongue thrust. It is a customized series of exercises that strengthen your tongue and surrounding muscles. These exercises ensure success when treating a tongue thrust.

By strengthening the tongue through Myofunctional Therapy, it teaches the tongue to rest in a natural position at the roof of the mouth and further corrects the improper swallow that was present. And lastly, if mouth breathing is present, therapy will teach you to comfortably nasal breathe once again.

Why should I treat my Tongue Thrust with Myofunctional Therapy?

Myofunctional Therapy is very important should symptoms from a tongue thrust be present. The tongue is the driving force for the growth of the middle part of the face, or the maxilla. For the maxilla to develop properly, you must have proper oral rest posture. This means that the tongue should be resting on the roof of the mouth with the lips sealed and breathing is through the nose. Because the tongue is such a powerful muscle, it shapes the maxilla into an expanded U-shape arch. This creates proper facial portion and size, as well as, a healthy airway at the back of the throat.

When a thrust is present, the tongue is almost always not able to rest at the roof of the mouth the way it is naturally meant to. What results is a high, narrow palate with crowded front teeth and an open bite. This can lead to speech or articulation issues, challenges with swallowing, airway concerns, and orthodontic needs.

In addition, if a thrust is not detected early on, the adult can certainly experience symptoms that unfortunately become a part of their everyday life. The good news is that you are never too old to correct a tongue-thrust!