Tongue Thrust Therapy
Tongue thrust or what is more accurately known as an incorrect resting posture and swallowing pattern, is the most common Orofacial Myofunctional disorder. Myofunctional disorders involve behaviors and patterns created by inappropriate muscle function and incorrect habits involving the tongue, lips and jaws.
PROBLEMS WHICH MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH INCORRECT ORAL MUSCLE PATTERNS:
- Crooked teeth or orthodontic relapse
- TMJ pain
- Dry Mouth, dry lips (in the absence of allergies or nasal congestion)
- Sleep and breathing disorders
- Grinding and clenching teeth
- Speech problems
- Headaches
- Gum disease
- Mouth breathing (airway problem)
- Forward head and neck posture
- Drooling
- Cosmetic Problem/abnormal tone of facial muscle
- Spillage of food/fluid from the anterior mouth
CAUSES OF ORAL MYOFUNCTIONAL DISORDERS:
- Improper oral habits such as thumb/finger sucking
- Restricted Airway
- Structural abnormalities
- Neurological or developmental abnormalities
- Hereditary predisposition
THERAPY SHOULD BE PROVIDED BY A PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS BEEN SPECIALLY TRAINED AND OR/CERTIFIED AS AN OROFACIAL MYOLOGIST.
GOALS OF THE THERAPY:
- Eliminate deleterious sucking habits
- Re-positioning a forward, interdental resting tongue posture
- Teaching a closed lips nasal breathing posture
- Re-training and elimination an incorrect chewing pattern and swallow
- Normalizing (opening) a closed dental rest posture
A lifetime of benefits!
“Therapy may help in the stabilization of the dental and/or orthodontic treatment, improve the clarity of speech, enhance one’s appearance, and help to maintain optimum oral health for a lifetime of benefits.”
The age of the patient is not as important as their motivation to succeed. Children as young as 4 years old can be seen for an evaluative session.
Children of 7 years or 8 years of age are often candidates to receive myofunctional therapy. Teenagers and adults of all ages are capable of success in treatment.