Swallowing Disorders and Tongue Thrust Therapy
Understanding Tongue Thrust
Thousands of Swallows a Day
Retraining the Swallow
How Therapy Creates a New Default
Brandee guides clients through a step-by-step program that builds tongue strength and awareness, sets correct tongue placement and practices the new swallow until it becomes automatic. Most programs run several months because the goal is a permanent change. She often coordinates with orthodontists and speech-language pathologists so everyone works toward the same result.
Open Bite
Constant forward pressure can keep the front teeth from meeting when the back teeth close.
Gapped or Flared Teeth
A tongue that pushes outward with each swallow can gradually spread the front teeth apart.
Speech Challenges
Lisping and other hard-to-correct sounds are often tied to forward tongue placement.
Visible Tongue
The tongue showing between the teeth during swallowing or speech is a classic sign.
Facial Strain
Grimacing or tight chin muscles while swallowing means the face is doing the tongue's job.
Orthodontic Relapse
An untreated tongue thrust can push teeth back out of place after braces come off.
Why It Develops
An Infant Pattern That Never Changed
Babies swallow with a forward tongue naturally, but many children never fully transition out of it. Mouth breathing, a tongue tie or long-term pacifier and bottle use can all keep the pattern in place. As a former dental hygienist and a mom of two daughters with OMDs, Brandee knows how easily it goes unnoticed.
Swallowing Therapy Across Colorado
Myofunctional Therapy Solutions treats swallowing disorders in kids, teens and adults from Denver and Boulder down through Monument, Palmer Lake, Manitou Springs and Fountain to Pueblo, Cañon City and out to Limon. Schedule an evaluation to get started.
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
Ready to Learn More?
Connect with Myofunctional Therapy Solutions, LLC to learn more about personalized myofunctional therapy.
