A tongue thrust, also known as a reverse swallowing pattern, occurs when the tongue pushes forward during swallowing or speaking rather than pressing against the roof of the mouth. This condition can be caused by a narrow hard palate, low oral muscle tone, prolonged pacifier use, or thumb-sucking habits. A tongue thrust can affect speech clarity, leading to articulation issues such as a frontal lisp, where /s/ and /z/ sounds are pronounced incorrectly. It can also impact the development of the teeth and jaw, potentially leading to orthodontic concerns. Some signs of tongue thrust include:

• Does your child drool throughout the day?

• Does your child’s tongue protrude when swallowing or talking?

Therapy focuses on retraining the tongue muscles and improving swallowing patterns to ensure proper tongue placement. Strengthening the muscles involved in swallowing and speaking can lead to significant improvements in both speech clarity and oral function. If your child exhibits signs of tongue thrust, an evaluation can help determine the best approach for correction. Contact us today to schedule an assessment and start improving tongue posture and speech clarity.