While tongue thrust is a normal childhood behaviour, most infants outgrow this habit at the age of six as they learn to use their oral muscles. However, those children which are unable to do so develop a condition called tongue thrust, also commonly known as orofacial myofunctional disorder.
Many experts believe the primary functions of the tongue thrust reflex include, Swiftly pushing items out of the mouth. Keeping the airway clear and protected against choking.
What Is A Tongue Thrust Reflex?
The tongue thrust reflex in infants occurs when the tongue moves forward from the mouth to assist with breast and bottle feeding. This should last for 5-6 months and can protect the baby from choking. Tongue thrusting in children happens when they push out their tongue when they talk, drink, or eat and is considered an ODM.
The condition also occurs in children due to a myriad of other causes, including:
Poor swallowing habits or reverse swallow
Long-term sucking on tongue and thumb
Allergies
Tongue-tie
How To Identify Tongue Thrust?
In children, tongue thrust is apparent when there’s too much forward movement of the tongue during swallowing and speaking. Most often, the tongue tends to push forward in the mouth. Sometimes the tongue presses into the back of the teeth. There are certain telltale signs which can help identify if your child is suffering from tongue thrust.
The tongue is visible between the teeth. This can happen while speaking and eating. The tip of the tongue tends to stick out between the front teeth.
Inability to close the lips completely or mouthbreathing.
Speech impediment can be identified by lisping of s and z sounds.
Who Can Diagnose Tongue Thrust?
Some different healthcare professionals can diagnose tongue thrust, including general practitioners, paediatricians, speech-language pathologists, dentists and orthodontists.
Observing the way your child speaks and swallows can help identify tongue thrust. Some practitioners may evaluate swallowing patterns by holding down the bottom lip to watch how you or your child swallows. Specifically, your doctor will want to see where the tongue is placed when swallowing. Other related medical professionals may become involved in the full diagnosis of tongue thrust.
How Is Tongue Thrust Treated?
Myobrace is a series of habit-breaking appliances that stop tongue thrust in young children while also gently and naturally aligning teeth and jaws that have misaligned as a result. Myobrace encourages a more open airway to help your child breathe through their nose. Myobrace therapy can be combined with physical exercises to eliminate the need for orthodontic treatment in the future.
Another habit-breaking device - the tongue crib is either fixed or removable. The choice depends on if your child can remember to wear it regularly and not lose it. Tongue crib therapy lasts for a few months up to a year, depending on how long it takes your child to stop their thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting habit. A tongue crib is also helpful for how to fix tongue thrust because it can encourage the tongue to rest away from the top teeth.
Tongue thrust in babies usually means your baby is healthy and developing well. However, it's natural to seek reassurance that behaviour affecting their teeth, speech, and eating is normal. If you have concerns regarding your child's habits, a paediatrician or dentist can conduct a gentle examination that puts your mind at ease.
