Tongue thrust in children is primarily treated through speech therapy.
Understanding Tongue Thrust
Tongue thrust, also known as an orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD), occurs when the tongue pushes forward against or between the front teeth during swallowing, speaking, or even at rest. While common in infants, persistent tongue thrust can affect speech, dental development, and swallowing patterns in older children.
The Role of Speech Therapy
According to the provided reference, a cornerstone of treating tongue thrust in children is working with a speech-language pathologist (SLP).
An SLP is trained to help children correct the underlying issues contributing to the tongue thrust. Their goal is to teach the child proper tongue posture and movement patterns.
What an SLP Does
- Assessment: Evaluates the child's swallowing patterns, speech, and resting tongue posture.
- Instruction: Teaches the child how to position their tongue correctly, both at rest and during functional activities like swallowing.
- Muscle Strengthening: Guides the child through exercises to strengthen the muscles of the tongue, lips, and cheeks, which are essential for correct oral motor patterns.
Specific Therapy Techniques
The reference highlights that an SLP may teach children specific exercises targeting the muscles involved. These exercises are designed to retrain the tongue and surrounding muscles.
Key areas addressed through exercises include:
- Tongue: Learning to keep the tongue behind the front teeth (on the alveolar ridge) instead of pushing forward. Strengthening exercises can improve control.
- Cheeks: Exercises can help maintain proper tension and support.
- Lips: Strengthening exercises help achieve a proper lip seal, which supports correct tongue posture.
| Therapy Component | Description | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Muscle Strengthening | Specific exercises for the tongue, cheeks, and lips | Improve muscle function and control |
| Tongue Positioning | Learning where the tongue should rest and move during swallowing/speech | Establish correct oral motor habits |
| Swallowing Retraining | Practicing swallowing with the tongue in the correct position | Eliminate the forward tongue thrust during deglutition |
These exercises and techniques help your child develop new, correct habits for their tongue and mouth movements, effectively correcting the tongue thrust over time.
