Tongue Thrust

[Page 1981]Tongue thrust refers to a subcategory of orofacial myofunctional disorders in which the tongue may be carried forward in the mouth during such activities as speech and swallowing, and even while at rest. It is considered somewhat normal during infancy, and prevalence decreases dramatically with age due to developmental maturation of the oral cavity. In older children and adults, tongue thrust may involve abnormal anterior or lateral protrusion of the tongue against or between the incisors, cuspids, or bicuspids. Dental malocclusion, open mouth posture, undesirable cosmetic presentation, and speech problems such as lisping or difficulty with alveolar consonants are associated with tongue thrust. This entry examines definitions, etiologies (causes), associated phenomena and consequences, and treatments that are integral to the concept of tongue thrust ...