Does your little one also do tongue thrusting? (Tongue Thrust) - Let's talk about this!

Have you ever noticed your little one sticking their tongue out while talking, swallowing food, or even just sitting? Sometimes, their tongue may even stick out from between their teeth. This is what we simply call tongue thrusting , or ``Tongue Thrust''. Although it may seem like a small thing at first glance, if this continues, it can cause various problems for the child. So, there is nothing to worry about, let's talk about this in detail today.

What is this tongue thrust?

Simply put, tongue thrust is the habit of pushing the tongue forward against the back of the teeth. This can happen while talking, swallowing, or even just when the mouth is open. It is very common among young children. However, if not treated properly, this habit can last beyond childhood and possibly into adulthood.

If you notice your child sticking their tongue out in this way, it's important to have them checked by a doctor. Over time, this tongue thrusting can lead to speech disorders , misaligned teeth , or more accurately, a malocclusion or "bad bite." The good news is that there are treatments that can help your child stop this tongue thrusting habit.

What are the symptoms of tongue thrusting?

Not every child will experience this in the same way. However, there are some common signs that you can look out for. Keep an eye out for these signs to see if your child has this habit:

• The tongue sticks out when talking or swallowing food. It can be seen sticking out like a small snake.
• Food is difficult to swallow, and it easily falls out of the mouth. You may see something the child is eating coming out of the mouth as you watch.
• You often bite your tongue or cheek. If you often say, "Oh, Mom, I bit my tongue," be a little concerned.
• Often, instead of breathing through the nose, you breathe through the mouth (mouth breathing). This is also a sign.
• Some sounds are difficult to pronounce properly when speaking. Especially when pronouncing letters like "ஸ", "ஶ", "ச", "ஜ", etc., they get confused and have a different sound. For example, when saying "ஸமன்", it may sound like "தமன்".

Dental problems

When you keep pushing your teeth with your tongue for a long time, various problems can occur to your teeth. Imagine what happens if you keep tapping on something that is just there. That's how it is with this.

• Malocclusion: The most common problem is an open bite, where the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the mouth is closed. This means that the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the mouth is closed, leaving a gap in the middle. This can also be caused by the upper teeth being too far forward (overbite) or the lower teeth being too far forward (underbite).It might be okay.
• Gaps between teeth: This gap is most commonly seen between the two upper front teeth.
• Jaw pain: If your child is constantly complaining that their jaw hurts, it could be because their jaw bones or teeth are not properly aligned. Over time, this tongue thrusting can develop into temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders .

The symptoms of tongue thrusting in adults are the same as in children. However, as adults, the effects of prolonged tongue thrusting, such as tooth pulling and jaw pain, can be more severe.

What are the reasons for tongue thrusting?

There could be several reasons for this. Let's look at the main ones.

Healthy babies are born with an innate reflex to push their tongue out (extrusion reflex) . This is to prevent choking when breastfeeding or drinking from a bottle. This innate habit gradually disappears around 6 months of age, when babies start eating solid foods.

However, for some babies, this natural habit can become a way of using their tongue in this way. There are many reasons for this:

• Using pacifiers and sippy cups until the age of 3. Imagine, when a pacifier or sippy cup is in the mouth, the child's jaw and tongue automatically move downward and forward. Then, the tongue becomes a habit of being pushed forward with the sucking motion.
• Conditions that cause mouth breathing. Things like allergies, persistent cough , or swollen tonsils or adenoids can make it difficult for a child to breathe through their nose. Then, to get enough air, they will push their jaw (and tongue) down and forward while breathing through their mouth.
• Some anatomical issues. Children with narrow upper jaws or crowded teeth have limited space in their mouths to hold and move their tongue properly. This can also lead to the habit of tongue thrusting. Also, babies with tongue-tie have to thrust their tongue to swallow food.
• Nervous system conditions. Tongue thrusting can also be caused by conditions that affect the way a child uses the muscles used to speak and swallow. Examples include cerebral palsy , Down syndrome, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) .

Tongue thrusting and stress in adults

Tongue thrusting is sometimes associated with stress and anxiety in adults. Anxiety itself does not cause tongue thrusting, but when you are stressed, you are more likely to unconsciously thrust your tongue forward, including:

• Teeth grinding (Bruxism)
• Mouth breathing
• Clenching one's jaw

How to recognize tongue thrust?

Doctors diagnose this condition by observing whether your child sticks out or sticks out their tongue when speaking or swallowing. They may ask your child to say certain words. For example, if your child sticks out their tongue, they may pronounce the word "six" like "thay."

Your child's doctor will examine your child's teeth to see if they have a bad bite. They will also ask if your child uses sippy cups or sucks their thumb. If your child is older, they may also ask when you stopped using these habits.

How is tongue thrusting treated?

The treatment options for your child will depend on their age and whether they have any dental problems. For example, some children will stop tongue thrusting on their own by the age of 4 or 5. If tongue thrusting is not causing significant harm, your doctor may decide to delay treatment until your child has a chance to stop on their own.

Most children who are treated for tongue thrusting are between the ages of 8 and 12. Treatment involves breaking the habit and correcting problems such as crooked teeth. Here are some treatment options:

• Speech therapy: A speech-language pathologist (SLP) can teach your child to strengthen and position their tongue properly. This will help them stop pushing their tongue. They may also be taught special exercises that use the tongue, cheeks, and lips. This type of training is also called myofunctional therapy .
• Tongue Crib: An orthodontist can fit this device to the back of your child's teeth. This creates a barrier that prevents the child from pushing their tongue forward and banging their teeth. Most children need to wear this device for about 6 months to a year to help them practice their tongue.
• Braces and Aligners: If your child's dentist has a bad bite, he or she may need to fit braces or aligners to correct it.

What if my child has a habit of tongue thrusting?

In most cases, the causes of tongue thrusting can be successfully treated. Although both speech therapy and braces are used, over time, many children (and adults who are diagnosed late) can stop tongue thrusting. These treatments can also correct problems such as tooth decay and speech difficulties caused by long-term tongue thrusting. So don't worry, okay?

Can tongue thrusting be prevented?

Of course, it's impossible to prevent all causes of tongue thrusting. However, you can discourage some unhealthy habits that interfere with the proper alignment of your teeth and jaw. For example:

• Wean your child off pacifiers and sippy cups when they are about 3 years old.Although these devices are useful and comforting for babies, they can be harmful after a certain age.
• Discourage your child from sucking their thumb.

When should I see a doctor?

If your child is 4 years old or older and still sticks out their tongue, make an appointment with a pediatrician or dentist. By this age, many children have completely lost the tongue-thrust reflex that protected them from choking as babies. If the habit continues after this age, it can become a difficult habit to break and can cause problems with their teeth and speech later in life.

Questions to ask the doctor

When you go to see the doctor, don't forget to ask these questions:

• What causes my child to stick out his tongue?
• Will he need treatment?
• How soon should treatment start?
• What kind of doctors should we see? (e.g. speech therapist, orthodontist)
• How long does it take to train a child to use their tongue properly?

Summary (Take-Home Message)

It's hard to imagine that a natural habit that protects a small baby from choking could become a harmful habit when he grows up, isn't it? But as we grow older, our needs change, and the way our bodies work changes.

Over time, most children learn to hold their tongues properly, eat, swallow, and talk. But if your child needs a little help, there's nothing wrong with that. Tongue thrusting is a treatable condition. With a little effort, you, your child, and the team treating him can largely stop this habit. So, don't worry, let's do what's necessary, okay?

` Tongue Thrust, Children's Teeth, Speech Disorders, Myofunctional Therapy, Dental Problems, Oral Health