Tongue thrusting is the abnormal habit of placing the tongue
against the front teeth before and during the act of swallowing.
During normal swallowing, the tongue should be placed on the
roof of the mouth, not against the front teeth. Placing the
tongue against the teeth develops the upper arch faster than
the lower arch, protruding the front teeth making them appear
“bucked”. If you notice your child repeatedly thrusting
their tongue during swallowing, consult Dr. Fletcher.
What can be done about Tongue Thrusting?
There are devices that can help train children to properly
swallow thus preventing major orthodontic problems, abnormal
speech patterns and abnormal facial development. The device
may be a removable retainer that is used a few hours each
day. In advanced cases, or for young children, a device may
be bonded in place.
