What’s the Best Way to Treat Tongue Thrust in Adults?

tongue thrust in adultsSanta Cruz, Scotts Valley CA

Tongue thrust may cause difficulties in everyday life if it persists into adulthood. However, there are ways to cope with this problem. Tongue thrust is a condition in which the tongue pushes against the back of the front teeth when swallowing. Our myofunctional therapists in Scotts Valley at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry discuss on the blog today the causes, oral health impacts, and available remedies for adults with tongue thrust.

What causes tongue thrust?

Tongue thrust is an abnormal forward tongue movement and is classified as an orofacial myofunctional disorder affecting your oral and general health. Some conditions that can cause tongue thrust include anatomical problems such as large tonsils or adenoids, deviated septum, or chronic allergies. Other tongue thrust causes may be from prolonged oral habits that include thumb sucking, using pacifiers, and continued bottle use after a certain age or oral development stage. Tongue thrust may not be easily identified by pediatricians during routine checkups, which means that early dental visits are necessary to identify the problem. Our myofunctional therapists in Los Gatos can examine adults and reveal the possible reason for the condition.

Why is tongue thrust a concern?

The tongue is a muscular tissue providing essential functions concerning speaking, chewing, and breathing. Generally, the tongue rests against the upper dental palate with the lips pressed together and breathing nasally. Our Santa Cruz myofunctional therapists state that tongue thrust is responsible for gapped teeth, protruding front teeth, and a recessed chin. Tongue thrust also leads to lifelong issues like snoring, sleep apnea, TMJ disorder, and facial asymmetry.

What treatments are available for adults with tongue thrust?

Myofunctional therapy is accepted to be the best cure for tongue thrust and eradicating related complications. Similar to physical therapy for muscles, this is a form of therapy designed to train the tongue on proper rest posture and swallowing movements. Our Los Gatos myofunctional therapists also educate clients on proper ways to swallow and train them to breathe through the nose. In other words, by undergoing therapy regularly, you can gain functionality as well as enhance your general well-being.

Myofunctional Therapy at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry

Our myofunctional therapists in Santa Cruz at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry treat tongue thrust in patients of all ages. The goal of our therapy sessions is to train the tongue muscles to encourage the most appropriate movements so that patients dealing with tongue thrust can develop healthier airways and improve their self-confidence. Also, we offer cosmetic treatments to adults who may have other dental or facial problems caused by untreated tongue thrust.

Myofunctional Therapists in Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley, California

Regain control over tongue thrust, and don’t allow it to be the cause of your poor oral health any longer. If you experience tongue thrust as an adult, you should relax because you are not the only one. There’s hope since there are dentists who can help cure the problem. If you want to know more about tongue thrust treatment or want to schedule an appointment with one of the myofunctional therapists in Scotts Valley, contact Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry at (831) 438-4411 today. We look forward to helping you improve your smile through therapy!