Tongue thrusting is a condition of forward placement of tongue by child in between upper and lower teeth. It is reflex in infants occurs when the tongue moves forward from the mouth to assist with breast and bottle feeding.
Tongue thrust appears when tongue presses forward too far in the mouth, resulting in abnormal oral habits and condition .Tongue thrust is most common in children. This condition is caused by –
- Poor swallowing habits
- Allergies by chronically swollen tonsils or adenoids
- Tongue-tie
- A reverse swallowing pattern
Causes of Tongue-thrust habit: –
- Open bite as tongue is in between upper and lower teeth
- Mouth breathing
- Inability to close lips i.e incompetent lips
- Slow, fast and messy eating
- Speech impediment
- Narrow arch, high palate and crowding of teeth
- Elongated facial profile and protruded tongue.
Tongue thrust habit is observed by the family through speech and swallowing of child. Sometimes tongue thrust can be diagnosed by holding the bottom lips to watch the swallowing by the individual. Tongue thrust can be corrected by habit breaking orthodontic appliances like oral screen, fixed or removable tongue crib and myo-functional appliances which are used to prevent tongue thrusting habit and helps in promoting proper tongue posture.
At Teeth Care Centre, the pedodontist performs the detailed analysis for the condition. Orthodontic devices of world renowned brand and material can offer the good treatment outcome. Sometimes swallowing therapy and speech therapy is also advised for the correction of the any impediments that may have developed as a result of tongue-thrust.
It is always advisable to address the issue at the right time before it transforms into a bigger problem. So if your child shows any of these habits beyond a certain age, then it is imperative to visit the dentist and get a customized habit appliance for your child because prevention is better than cure.
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