Tongue Thrust

Definition

Tongue thrust, also known as infantile swallow or reverse swallow, is a term in the motherhood context that refers to a common swallowing pattern found in infants. Under this pattern, the tongue moves forward in the mouth to accept food and assist in swallowing. Over time, most children outgrow this habit; however, if it persists, it can lead to speech or dental problems.

Key Takeaways

1. Tongue thrust refers to the scenario where the baby pushes their tongue forward in a way that protrudes past the lips, often observed during feeding or talking. It’s a natural infantile swallowing pattern which typically disappears as the child grows.
2. Whilst benign in early infancy, continued tongue thrust beyond infancy can lead to oral and speech issues. This includes problems with tooth alignment and clear speech articulation. Therefore, if noted persistently beyond infant years, professional guidance might be needed.
3. Methods such as tongue thrust therapy could be employed to correct this condition. Professionals may use various techniques such as oral-motor therapy exercises, habituation exercises, or even oral appliances in severe cases to aid in rectifying the tongue thrust.

Importance

Tongue thrust, also known as infantile swallow or reverse swallow, is a condition often noticed in infants and children where the tongue pushes forward against the lips or teeth while swallowing, speaking or at rest.

This term is especially important in the realm of motherhood as it typically develops during infancy while transitioning from bottle or breastfeeding to solid foods.

If not corrected, this pattern can continue into adulthood and lead to problems such as improper teeth alignment, speech difficulties, difficulty in eating, and facial development issues.

Thus, early identification and appropriate intervention by a pediatrician, speech therapist or orthodontist is critical.

Understanding the term “tongue thrust” can aid mothers in recognizing this condition early in their children and seeking appropriate treatment.

Explanation

Tongue thrust, a term often encountered in the journey of motherhood, primarily refers to a behavioral pattern where the tongue projects beyond the anterior incisors during swallowing, speech, and while the tongue is at rest. This action is considered normal in newborns and infants as it aids in breastfeeding.

The ability of the baby to thrust their tongue forward and retract it aids in successful latching and efficient milk extraction from the breast, supporting crucial early nourishment and growth. However, as the baby grows and starts the process of weaning onto solid food, the tongue thrust pattern should ideally change to a more mature swallow pattern to accommodate this dietary change.

In older children, persistent tongue thrust can potentially affect the alignment of the teeth and the formation of speech sounds. Thus, while tongue thrust serves a critical purpose in early feeding mechanisms, changes in this pattern are important to support subsequent development.

Examples of Tongue Thrust

Scenario 1: Baby Feeding – A new mother is trying to bottle feed her one-month-old infant but the baby keeps pushing out the bottle nipple with her tongue. This is the baby’s natural “tongue thrust” reflex which in early infancy helps to protect against choking.

Scenario 2: Transition to Solid Foods – A mother attempts to start her six-month-old baby on solid foods. However, the baby keeps pushing out the spoonful of mashed peas. The mother recognizes this tongue thrust reflex, and knows to try again in a few days or weeks, when the reflex starts to slowly disappear as the baby continues to grow and develop.

Scenario 3: Speech Therapy – A mother brings her four-year-old child to a speech therapist due to concern about his speech development. The therapist notes the prevalence of a tongue thrust reflex when the child is speaking and swallowing, which can be causing speech difficulty. She then plan exercises accordingly to change the swallowing pattern of the child. At this stage, tongue thrust isn’t a natural reflex but could be habit developed from an early age.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tongue Thrust

1. What is tongue thrust?

Tongue thrust, also known as orofacial muscular imbalance, is a reflex that causes the tongue to push against the front teeth during swallowing, speaking, and at rest. It is common in infants but can persist in some children and adults.

2. What causes tongue thrust?

Tongue thrust can be caused by factors such as thumb sucking, enlarged tonsils, hereditary factors, or certain types of artificial feeding during infancy. In some cases, the cause is unknown.

3. What are the signs and symptoms of tongue thrust?

Common signs of tongue thrust include difficulty in swallowing, speech impediments, protruding tongue between or against the front teeth when speaking or swallowing, and open bite dental disorder.

4. How is tongue thrust diagnosed?

A speech-language pathologist or an orthodontist can diagnose tongue thrust through a series of examinations or tests to evaluate the swallowing pattern, speech, and oral facial development.

5. Can tongue thrust be treated?

Yes, tongue thrust can be treated. Treatments often involve therapies designed to retrain the tongue’s movement, such as swallowing and speech therapy.

6. What happens if tongue thrust is not treated?

If untreated, tongue thrust can lead to serious oral health problems, including misaligned teeth and malocclusion. It can also contribute to speech issues, such as a lisp or problems articulating certain sounds.

Related Motherhood Terms

• Baby Feeding
• Oral Motor Development
• Speech Development
• Infant Reflexes
• Pediatric Dentistry

Sources for More Information

• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: This organization is a trusted resource for information related to speech and language development, including tongue thrust.
• American Academy of Pediatrics: As an authoritative source on child health, AAP provides comprehensive information including conditions that may involve tongue thrust.
• American Dental Association: ADA hosts a wealth of dental and oral health resources. They often address tongue thrust as it can have significance in orthodontics issues.
• Mayo Clinic: This renowned medical organization provides patient care and health information. Their website often hosts information about a variety of health topics, including tongue thrust.