Tongue Thrust Therapy Specialist Manhattan NYC

Our best in class NYC speech pathologists specializes in helping individuals overcome tongue thrust, a common yet often overlooked condition that can affect speech, swallowing, and oral health. Tongue thrust therapy is an effective solution, providing tailored exercises and techniques to retrain the tongue’s position and function.

What is Tongue Thrust?

Tongue thrust, orofacial myofunctional disorder (OMD), occurs when the tongue pushes against or between the teeth during swallowing, speaking, or resting. This abnormal tongue posture can lead to a range of issues, including:

• Speech difficulties, such as lisping or unclear articulation.
• Misaligned teeth and bite problems (malocclusion).
• Orthodontic relapse after braces or aligners.
• Open mouth posture or mouth breathing.

Tongue thrust typically begins in childhood, often due to prolonged thumb sucking, pacifier use, or bottle feeding. However, it can persist into adulthood if left unaddressed.

Signs of Tongue Thrust

• Identifying tongue thrust early is crucial for preventing long-term complications. Common signs include:
• A noticeable lisp or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, especially “s” and “z.”
• Forward tongue position when swallowing, visible between or against the teeth.
• Open bite, overbite, or gaps between teeth.
• Chronic mouth breathing or open-mouth posture.
• Frequent orthodontic issues or the need for retreatment.

If you or your child exhibit these signs, tongue thrust therapy may be an essential step toward improvement.

How Tongue Thrust Therapy Works

Tongue thrust therapy is a specialized program designed to correct the tongue’s posture and function. Speech pathologists use targeted techniques to retrain the tongue, lips, and jaw muscles, ensuring proper coordination and alignment.

Key components of tongue thrust therapy include:

• Comprehensive Assessment: A detailed evaluation determines the severity of tongue thrust and its impact on speech and oral health.
• Customized Exercises: Tailored exercises focus on strengthening and retraining the tongue and surrounding muscles to rest and function correctly.
• Swallowing Retraining: Therapy emphasizes creating a correct swallowing pattern to eliminate the forward tongue motion.
• Speech Improvement: Exercises to address any speech difficulties caused by tongue thrust, such as lisps.
• Habit Elimination: Education and support help break habits that contribute to tongue thrust, such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing.

Benefits of Tongue Thrust Therapy

Tongue thrust therapy offers numerous advantages for children and adults alike:

• Improved Speech Clarity: Correcting tongue posture enhances articulation and eliminates lisps.
• Support for Orthodontics: Prevents orthodontic relapse and promotes stable, aligned teeth.
• Enhanced Swallowing Function: Proper swallowing patterns reduce strain on oral muscles and support overall health.
• Better Breathing: Encourages nasal breathing and reduces open-mouth posture.
• Boosted Confidence: Clearer speech and healthier oral function positively impact self-esteem.
• Who Can Benefit from Tongue Thrust Therapy?
• Tongue thrust therapy is ideal for individuals of all ages, including:
• Children: Early intervention can prevent complications with speech and dental alignment.
• Adults: Therapy can resolve lifelong challenges and support post-orthodontic success.
• Orthodontic Patients: Complementary therapy ensures lasting results after braces or aligners.

Take the First Step to Healthy Oral Function

Our expert speech pathologists are committed to helping you achieve optimal oral health and communication. Through personalized tongue thrust therapy, we empower you to overcome challenges and thrive.

Contact us today to schedule an evaluation and learn how tongue thrust therapy can make a difference in your life!

If you are interested in oral myofunctional therapy or speech language pathology please contact our White Plains, New York office, The Gelb Center, today.