No one specific cause has been identified. However, any one of the following may be a contributing factor:

1. Thumbsucking
2. Allergies, nasal congestion or obstructions leading to mouth breathing
3. An abnormally large tongue
4. Large tonsils, adenoids, or frequent sore throats which cause difficulty in swallowing
5. Hereditary factors within the family, such as a steep jaw line
6. Neurological, muscular, or other physiological abnormalities
7. Short lingual frenum (tongue tied)

The force of the tongue against the teeth is an important factor in contributing to malocclusions (bad bites). This is manifested by anterior or lateral open bites where the teeth do not meet properly. Many well-treated orthodontic cases have suffered relapse because of the patient's tongue thrust swallowing pattern. If the tongue is allowed to continue pushing against the teeth, it will tip the teeth forward and alter the orthodontic treatment result.

The most difficult problem of all is correctly diagnosing tongue thrust. In many cases, the tongue thrust may not be detected until the child is under orthodontic care.

Diagnosis is usually made when the child exhibits a dental or speech problem that needs correction.

Close

Generally a tongue thrust swallowing pattern is handled in one of two ways:

1. An appliance is placed by the orthodontist to control the tongue thrust
2. Correction by oral habit training. This method involves working with a trained speech therapist to retrain the muscles associated with swallowing by changing the swallowing pattern.

With sincere commitment and cooperation of the child, correction is possible in the majority of cases. At the present time, successful correction of tongue thrust is as follows:

1. 70% of the treated cases are successful
2. 25% of the treated cases are unsuccessful due to poor cooperation or lack of commitment on the part of the parent or child
3. 5% of the treated cases are unsuccessful due to factors that make correction impossible