Tongue thrust exercises are a type of therapy that can help correct a tongue thrust, which is a condition where the tongue pushes against or between the teeth during swallowing and speech. Tongue thrust can cause problems with teeth alignment, speech production, and swallowing function. In this blog post, I will explain what tongue thrust is, what causes it, what the signs and symptoms of it are, and how tongue thrust exercises can help treat it.
What is Tongue Thrust?
Tongue thrust is also known as an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD). It is a condition where the tongue moves forward abnormally during swallowing and speech, instead of staying in the mouth. This can create pressure on the teeth and affect their growth and development. Tongue thrust can also interfere with the production of certain sounds, such as /s/, /z/, /sh/, /ch/, and /j/, causing a frontal lisp or other speech errors.
What Causes Tongue Thrust?
Tongue thrust can be caused by several factors, such as:
- Prolonged thumb or finger sucking, pacifier use, or bottle feeding in childhood. These habits can affect the shape of the mouth and the position of the tongue.
- Upper airway obstruction due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids, allergies, nasal congestion, or deviated septum. These conditions can make it difficult to breathe through the nose, causing the mouth to open and the tongue to move forward.
- Missing teeth or an open bite. These dental issues can create gaps between the teeth that allow the tongue to push through.
- Poor oral muscle tone or strength. This can make it hard to control the tongue and keep it in the right place.
- Genetics. Some people may inherit oral and facial structures that predispose them to have a tongue thrust.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tongue Thrust?
Some of the signs and symptoms of tongue thrust include:
- The tongue is visible between or against the teeth when swallowing or speaking.
- The teeth are crowded, crooked, spaced out, or flared out.
- The upper and lower teeth do not touch when biting down.
- The mouth is often open at rest or during breathing.
- There is difficulty producing certain sounds, especially /s/, /z/, /sh/, /ch/, and /j/.
- There is difficulty chewing or swallowing food.
How Can Tongue Thrust Exercises Help?
Tongue thrust exercises are designed to improve the oral posture and function of the tongue. They can help:
- Train the tongue to rest on the roof of the mouth behind the upper front teeth.
- Strengthen the oral muscles and improve their coordination.
- Correct the tongue movement during swallowing and speech.
- Reduce the pressure of the tongue on the teeth and prevent dental problems.
- Improve speech clarity and articulation.
Tongue thrust exercises are usually done under the guidance of a speech-language pathologist (SLP) or an orofacial myofunctional therapist (OMT). They may also work with a dentist or an orthodontist to address any dental issues related to tongue thrust. The exercises may vary depending on the individual’s needs and goals, but they generally involve:
- Warm-up activities to loosen up the oral muscles and prepare them for exercise.
- Stretching activities increase the range of motion and flexibility of the tongue.
- Strengthening activities to improve the power and endurance of the tongue.
- Coordination activities to enhance the accuracy and speed of the tongue movement.
- Functional activities to practice proper tongue posture and function during swallowing and speech.
Some examples of tongue thrust exercises for tongue thrust are:
- Stick out your tongue as far as you can. Put something flat like a spoon or tongue depressor on your tongue. Push your tongue against it while keeping your lips closed. Hold for 5 seconds and relax. Repeat 5 times.
- Extend your tongue as far as possible to the corner of your mouth while pushing against a depressor. Hold for 5 seconds and relax. Repeat 5 times on each side.
- Extend your tongue to the bumpy part on the top of your mouth right behind your teeth. Press your tongue firmly against it while keeping your lips closed. Hold for 5 seconds and relax. Repeat 10 times.
- Swallow saliva while keeping your lips closed and your teeth lightly touching. Make sure your tongue does not touch your teeth or come out of your mouth. Repeat 10 times.
Tongue thrust exercises should be done regularly and consistently for the best results.
