How a tongue thrust swallow is a symptom of a low tongue rest posture
What is a tongue thrust
A Tongue thrust swallow is also known as a protrusive swallow. This is a type of swallowing pattern in which the tongue protrudes forward/outward on the teeth during the swallowing process. Furthermore, this type of swallow is often associated with a low tongue rest posture. A low tongue rest posture refers to the position of the tongue when it is at rest in the oral cavity. In individuals with low tongue rest posture, the tongue tends to rest in a low position within the oral cavity. By comparison of the tongue positing resting in the roof of the mouth or behind the upper front teeth.
Why a tongue thrust matters
A tongue thrust is often associated with oral health issues including:
- Malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth)
- Speech difficulties
- Swallowing dysfunction
- TMJ/Jaw pain
- Sleep disorder breathing (snoring, sleep apnea, upper airway resistance syndrome)
Moreover, A tongue thrust swallow may also lead to other oral health issues such as dental caries and periodontal disease. This is because the protrusive swallow can cause food and liquids to pool in the mouth. As a result of food pooling can lead to an increased risk of bacterial growth and the development of oral health problems.
How does a low tongue rest posture fit into the picture
One symptom of a low resting tongue is a tongue thrust swallow. The protrusive swallow pattern is a compensatory mechanism that is used to compensate for the low resting position of the tongue. When the tongue is positioned low in the mouth, it can be difficult for the individual to generate enough tongue pressure to effectively swallow food or liquids. As a result, the individual may resort to developing a protrusive swallow habit in order to generate the necessary tongue pressure needed to swallow. They may also develop compensating orofacial muscles to aid in the swallowing of food or liquid.
How did a low resting tongue position develope
A low resting tongue position can be caused by anything that can negatively impact the normal development of the muscle and the function resulting in muscle weakness/tone or poor muscle control of the tongue and jaw, including:
- Genetics
- Tethered oral tissues including tongue, lip or buccal ties
- Oral Habits such as finger sucking, lip or cheek biting or nail biting
- Neurological or developmental abnormalities
- Mouth Breathing that resulted from airways obstructions such as enlarged tonsils and adenoids, allergies from seasonal, dietary or environmental factors and/or food intolerances.
Why should low resting tongue posture be addressed
It is important to address a low resting tongue with a myofunctional therapist as early as possible. Correcting the habit can prevent or minimize any potential negative effects on oral health, speech and development. While the relationship between low resting tongue posture and sleep disorder breathing is complex and multifactorial, one theory is that the low resting tongue posture weakens the strength of the soft tissues that keep the airway open at night time. As a result, this may increase the risk of airways obstructions.
The Overview
In conclusion, a tongue thrust swallow is a symptom of low tongue rest posture. It is a condition characterized by the tongue resting in a low position within the oral cavity. This type of swallow can lead to a variety of oral health issues and can also have a negative impact on an individual’s health, speech and communication. Therapy for a low tongue resting position and a tongue thrust swallow typically involves orofacial myofunctional therapy exercises with a myofunctional therapist. In some cases, a multidisciplinary professional team approach may be needed in conjunction with myofunctional therapy and is largely individual based.