How to Correct Infant Tongue Thrust for Better Oral Health
Reviewed by Dr. Paul Rubin, DDS
Infant tongue thrust is a natural reflex that plays a key role in a baby’s ability to latch and feed properly.
It helps newborns safely bottle-feed or breastfeed by preventing choking and ensuring proper swallowing. When babies push their tongue forward while sucking, it prevents choking and allows them to latch effectively.
This reflex typically fades around 4-6 months of age as babies start transitioning to solid foods. However, if this habit persists beyond infancy, it may develop into a myofunctional disorder that affects oral health, speech development, and swallowing.
In this blog, you will learn what infant tongue thrust is, when it becomes a concern, and how to address it effectively.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaway
Infant tongue thrust is a natural reflex that helps newborns feed safely but should fade by 4-6 months of age. If it persists, it may lead to speech or dental issues, requiring early intervention from a pediatric dentist or speech therapist.
When Is Infant Tongue Thrust a Concern?
In most cases, infant tongue thrust is not a cause for concern.
Most babies naturally outgrow the tongue thrust reflex, but if it continues into toddlerhood or early childhood, it may impact dental development.
Here are some common signs that indicate a problem:
- Tongue movements pushing forward while speaking, swallowing, or resting.
- Difficulty transitioning to solid foods or persistent feeding difficulties.
- Mouth breathing or an open-mouth posture at rest.
- Speech impediment such as difficulty pronouncing “s” and “z” sounds.
- Prolonged thumb sucking, bottle feeding, or pacifier use beyond infancy.
- Misaligned teeth, crowded teeth, or malformed teeth requiring orthodontic care.
- Tongue tie or a short lingual frenulum restricting proper tongue movements.
- Swollen tonsils, enlarged tonsils, or adenoids causing a reverse swallow pattern.
If you notice these symptoms, consult a qualified healthcare provider such as a pediatric dentist, speech-language pathologist, or orthodontist.
Causes of Prolonged Infant Tongue Thrust
Several factors contribute to tongue-thrusting habits in children, including:
- Extended bottle or pacifier use: Overuse of bottle nipples or sippy cups can encourage improper tongue positions.
- Thumb sucking or finger sucking: This habitual activity affects oral muscles and tongue muscle tone.
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids: Structural issues cause mouth breathing and improper tongue thrust swallow.
- Neurological conditions or cerebral palsy: Children with neurological conditions may experience tongue muscle coordination challenges.
- Tongue tie or structural deviation: A short lingual frenulum may limit tongue movements, affecting speech and feeding. Learn How Tongue Tie Release Can Solve Breastfeeding Challenges for Newborns.
- Premature babies: Newborn babies born prematurely may develop prolonged tongue thrusts due to weaker oral motor skills.
Short-Term Effects of Tongue Thrusting
If a tongue thrust continues beyond infancy, it may cause challenges such as:
- Feeding difficulties due to improper tongue muscle exercises.
- Excessive drooling, messy eating, or difficulty swallowing certain foods.
Long-Term Effects of Tongue Thrusting
If the condition persists in school-aged children, it may lead to more serious complications, such as:
- Misaligned teeth or displaced teeth, requiring orthodontic treatment.
- Ongoing therapy to improve oral motor skills and correct tongue positions.
- Difficulty developing proper communication skills, impacting social interactions. Misaligned teeth or displaced teeth, requiring orthodontic treatment.
- Speech sound production issues requiring therapy from a speech pathologist.
Tongue Thrust Treatment: What Can Be Done?
The good news is that tongue thrust is a treatable condition, and early intervention can prevent long-term dental issues and speech issues.
Treatment often involves a multidisciplinary approach, including:
- Dental evaluation & orthodontic appliance: A tongue crib or other orthodontic appliances may help retrain tongue posture.
- Speech therapy & tongue thrust exercises: A speech-language pathologist or speech therapist will guide children through exercises to improve tongue muscle coordination.
- Oral myofunctional therapy (OMT): Helps correct tongue muscle tone, tongue movements, and proper tongue posture.
- Medical advice for structural issues: If enlarged tonsils, swollen tonsils, or anatomical factors are contributing, a medical professional may recommend treatment.
- At-home tongue muscle exercises: Parents can help children practice tongue twisters, tongue thrust exercises, and tongue movement activities.
- Online speech therapy services: For therapy services convenient to families, online speech therapy services may be an option.
When to Seek Professional Advice
If your child shows signs of persistent tongue thrust reflex, do not hesitate to consult a pediatric dentist, speech therapist, or orthodontist.
A treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs can prevent further complications.
Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry: Your Pediatric Dentist in Frisco, TX
At Lonestar Kid’s Dentistry, we specialize in infant oral health and early intervention therapies. Early treatment makes a difference, so don’t delay in seeking treatment.
Our team provides expert guidance to help your child develop proper oral motor skills, communication skills, and dental development.
If you are concerned about baby tongue thrust and need professional advice, book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Frisco, call (214) 618-5200 or visit us at 6801 Warren Parkway, Ste 115, Frisco, TX.
📍Other locations