How does Tongue Thrusting affect your teeth?

Attention! Have you ever thought about a simple habit of your child will lead to a bigger series of problems! Are you seeing your child pushing the tongue forward between the upper and lower front teeth when swallowing. Then it is your time as a parent to guide and help your child appropriately. A survey says that more than 40% of the parents are unaware of the problems due to tongue thrusting. It is a muscular imbalance, and a prolonged practice of a child, which causes enormous health hazards.

Normally all new-borns will have the habit of tongue thrusting and might continue until four years of age. A study reveals that more than 70% of the children are involved in the habit of tongue thrusting. However, if the habit prolongs after four years, it causes enormous problems. The normal position for the tip of the tongue should be above the back of the upper front teeth. If the tongue is between the upper and lower teeth, it causes irregular pressure to the mouth area.

What can be the causes of Tongue Thrusting:

• When the normal tongue is elongated naturally, the child involves in tongue thrusting.
• As a child, it may involve thumb sucking.
• When the child suffers from tonsils and related health conditions.
• When a prolonged use of artificial nipples.

Other common factors are allergies and nasal congestion.  These are some of the common grounds of tongue thrusting, the scientists, however, give more causes, and are still in the research stage.

Do you know what happens because of Tongue Thrusting:

A normal child stops the habit of tongue thrusting after six months, which is an indication for the parents that the child is ready for consumption of baby food, however, if the habit still persists, it needs to be corrected immediately. The common problems are:

• When a person constantly is in the habit of tongue thrusting, he gives excess pressure to his mouth than a normal person. This will cause an adverse effect.
• It causes irregular teeth alignment, often causing disfiguring of the face
• Open bite, a condition where both the jaws are not aligned or able to close properly.
• Speech becomes frequently affected by this habit.

Why should you treat it immediately?

Contact your dentist soon. An expert dentist would diagnose and detect the problem soon. With the combination of medical treatment and exercises, the challenge will be remediated soon. Early detection will help the children to come out of this unhealthy practice. The physiatrists also accept the fact that, it causes a mild disturbance in the child’s mind when they are unable to talk and perform like other kids.  Their productivity decreases and may leads to lower self-confidence.

There is a drastic improvement in the way the child behaves and performs after treatment. The practice of speaking well comes into a regular practice, other problems of tongue thrusting will decrease day-by-day. Over a period of time, the child may able to come out of the problem soon.

Tips to have a healthy mouth!

• Gargle as soon as you complete a meal
• Floss at least once a day
• Get your dental check-up regularly
• Brush twice a day

These are some of the habits which help the children to have a healthy practice, however, if still, the problem persists, it is recommended to contact the dentist for guidance.

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