What is a Tongue Thrust?
A tongue thrust, or reverse swallow, is a pattern of swallowing. This pattern of swallowing is typically seen in infants, however, should outgrown as the child progresses through various feeding stages. During a tongue thrust swallow, the tongue pushes against the front teeth, and sometimes through the upper and lower teeth.
What Causes a Tongue Thrust?
Some factors may be:
Why Should This Be Addressed?
Orthodontic problems are often the result of the pressure the tongue exerts upon the teeth, as it pushes upon the teeth during the swallow. In addition, many children with a tongue thrust swallow have an accompanying speech production problem, such as a lisp. Generally, the tongue thrust swallow should be addressed before or during the production of error to ensure success.