Tongue Thrust in Children: Signs Parents May Notice
Tongue thrust generally describes a swallowing pattern in which the tongue moves forward or between the teeth during a swallow. Some children may also have a forward tongue resting posture when they are not eating, drinking, or speaking.
Parents sometimes first notice the tongue itself, but other oral-function patterns may occur alongside it. The goal is not to diagnose tongue thrust at home, but to recognize when a pattern may be worth evaluating.
What Might Tongue Thrust Look Like?
Parents may notice:
The tongue moving between the front teeth when swallowing
A tongue that frequently rests forward or between the teeth
Difficulty keeping food, liquid, or saliva comfortably contained in the mouth
An open-mouth resting posture
Speech sounds that seem to involve the tongue coming forward between the teeth
A dentist or orthodontist mentioning an open bite or another bite concern
ASHA identifies forward or interdental tongue posture, tongue thrust during swallowing, open-mouth posture, certain speech-sound differences, and dental malocclusions among findings that can occur with orofacial myofunctional disorders.
Is Tongue Thrust the Same as Forward Tongue Posture?
Not exactly.
Tongue thrust refers primarily to what the tongue is doing during swallowing. Tongue resting posture describes where the tongue sits during the much longer periods when a child is not swallowing.
That distinction matters because the tongue, lips, and cheeks apply low-level forces for much of the day. Pediatric dental guidance notes that these sustained resting pressures can have more influence on tooth position than the brief force created during a swallow.
If you want to understand resting posture more closely, read What Does Proper Tongue Resting Posture Look Like?
What Can Contribute to Tongue Thrust?
There is not one cause that applies to every child.
Orofacial myofunctional patterns can involve a combination of learned behaviors, structural differences, airway or breathing concerns, prolonged oral habits, and other developmental factors. ASHA specifically notes that nasal obstruction, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, allergies, prolonged sucking habits, and structural differences may coexist with atypical tongue and swallowing patterns.
This is why it is important to look at the whole functional picture, rather than assuming tongue thrust is simply a habit the child needs to stop.
Can Tongue Thrust Affect the Teeth or Speech?
Tongue thrust and forward tongue posture may occur alongside dental and speech concerns, but association does not automatically mean causation.
AAPD guidance emphasizes that relationships between oral habits, tongue position, and dental or facial development are generally associational rather than simple cause-and-effect relationships.
ASHA also notes that tongue thrust may occur alongside certain speech-sound errors, particularly sounds where the tongue moves too far forward. When speech concerns are present, a speech-language pathologist may be an important part of the care team.
When Might an Evaluation Be Helpful?
Consider an evaluation if you are noticing tongue thrust together with:
Persistent forward tongue resting posture
Mouth breathing or open-mouth posture
Difficulty with comfortable lip closure
Swallowing concerns
Speech-sound concerns
Bite or tooth-position changes
An orthodontist or dentist recommending further evaluation
Depending on what is found, care may involve a dentist, orthodontist, speech-language pathologist, ENT, physician, or other appropriate provider. ASHA recommends an interprofessional approach when these functional, structural, airway, dental, and speech concerns overlap.
How Can Myofunctional Therapy Help?
Myofunctional therapy can help build awareness and coordination of tongue, lip, jaw, swallowing, resting-posture, and breathing patterns.
Therapy is individualized. It is not simply a matter of telling a child to “keep your tongue back.” When airway, structural, orthodontic, or speech concerns are present, those issues may need to be addressed alongside or sometimes before myofunctional therapy.
Learn more about Elevate Oral Health’s tongue thrust therapy for children and adults.
Wondering About Your Child’s Swallowing or Tongue Posture?
If you are noticing tongue thrust, forward tongue posture, mouth breathing, or another oral-function concern, start with a free 10-minute consultation to discuss whether myofunctional therapy may be an appropriate next step.
Sources & Further Reading
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association: Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: Management of the Developing Dentition and Occlusion in Pediatric Dentistry