Causes of Tongue Thrust
• Oral habits: thumb/ g fin er sucking, extended
pacifier use
– Habits that push the upper front teeth outward
– This can also create an i d nwar pressure on the lower t th ee ,
in particular the molars
• Respiratory issues: tonsils/adenoids, allergies,
mouth breathing
– Possible airway obstruction obstruction
– A low and anterior positioning of the tongue on the teeth
and flaccid appearance of the lips is likely
copyright MLW 2010Causes of Tongue Thrust
• Premature loss of baby teeth
– May result in the tongue moving forward into the spaces
created by the missing teeth
• Lack of lingual coordination
– Causes diffi l difficulty in eff i ect ve tongue movements and
posturing
• Malocclusions/dental treatment
copyright MLW 2010Causes of Tongue Thrust
• Tongue size: macroglossia macroglossia
• Hereditary g/ enetic influence
– Where a child inherits mouth, jaw, or tooth structure, which
may encourage tongue thrust habits
• Neurological: hypotonia, oral sensory
deficiencies
• Cranial and body postures
• Oral habits: thumb/ g fin er sucking, extended
pacifier use
– Habits that push the upper front teeth outward
– This can also create an i d nwar pressure on the lower t th ee ,
in particular the molars
• Respiratory issues: tonsils/adenoids, allergies,
mouth breathing
– Possible airway obstruction obstruction
– A low and anterior positioning of the tongue on the teeth
and flaccid appearance of the lips is likely
copyright MLW 2010Causes of Tongue Thrust
• Premature loss of baby teeth
– May result in the tongue moving forward into the spaces
created by the missing teeth
• Lack of lingual coordination
– Causes diffi l difficulty in eff i ect ve tongue movements and
posturing
• Malocclusions/dental treatment
copyright MLW 2010Causes of Tongue Thrust
• Tongue size: macroglossia macroglossia
• Hereditary g/ enetic influence
– Where a child inherits mouth, jaw, or tooth structure, which
may encourage tongue thrust habits
• Neurological: hypotonia, oral sensory
deficiencies
• Cranial and body postures