Tongue Thrusting & How It Can Impact Your Child’s Smile
Tongue thrusting is similar to when your child sucks on their thumb or fingers. The tongue pushes against the front of the teeth, pushing them slowly out of alignment. Dr. Cameron Fuller states, “When your child’s tongue moves in this manner, they are cutting off the mouth’s ability to swallow.” When the teeth are pushed out, it creates an overbite and can cause difficulty with your child’s ability to speak correctly. This pattern of swallowing usually develops when your child is learning to chew and swallow. The pattern can be difficult to break, and it is recommended that you consult your child’s dentist, who can work with your child and develop a new pattern of swallowing. As your child begins to talk and say sounds, it is critical that teeth are in their correct positions. If you wait to deal with your child’s ...