Tips for Eliminating Tongue Thrust

Posted on October 12, 2011. Filed under: Speech Pathology |

A tongue thrust is a position where the tongue rests too far forward toward the teeth. The continual pressure of the tongue can push the teeth out of alignment and sometimes cause speech problems. It is particularly important that thosereceiving orthodontics eliminate a tongue thrust so that the teeth stay straight after the orthodontic treatment is completed.

In most cases, participation in a tongue thrust therapy program (often called myofunctional therapy) is necessary in order to eliminate a tongue thrust. Here are some guidelines that can help.

If you suck your thumb or any of your fingers, take some steps to eliminate this habit.
Thumb sucking teaches the tongue to rest in the wrong position. Thumb sucking can also prevent the teeth from growing together.
If you are too “stuffy” to breathe through your nose, see if your doctor can help you with this problem.
If you can be helped to breathe through your nose you are just a step away from learning to keep your mouth closed and your lips together (if you do not do so already.) The ability to keep your mouth closed is important so that your tongue can rest in the correct position – on the roof of the mouth a short distance behind the upper teeth.
Practice keeping your tongue on the correct spot. Simple reminder “signs” can be made by sticking post-its in various locations to remind you to keep your tongue on “spot.”
Begin to eliminate any habits that make your tongue go forward such as licking or biting your lips.
Remember to approach these steps with an upbeat, positive attitude. Every time you remember to put your tongue on “spot,” congratulate yourself. If you do this more and more each day you
will soon be on your way to reducing or eliminating your tongue thrust.