Tongue Thrust Therapy in Orange County

Helping children and adults improve tongue posture, swallowing patterns, speech, and oral function.

Tongue thrust is more than simply pushing the tongue forward. The position and movement of the tongue can influence swallowing, speech production, oral rest posture, and the stability of orthodontic treatment.

At The Speech Dr., Dr. Bri Langlas, EdD, CCC-SLP, combines her background as a speech-language pathologist with specialized training in myofunctional therapy to evaluate the relationship between the tongue, lips, jaw, breathing, swallowing, and speech.

What Is Tongue Thrust?

Tongue thrust generally refers to a pattern in which the tongue moves forward or presses against or between the teeth during swallowing, speech, or at rest.

Ideally, the tongue rests inside the mouth with the lips comfortably closed and the tongue positioned appropriately against the palate. When oral resting posture or swallowing patterns differ, they may contribute to functional concerns involving speech, feeding, swallowing, or dental development.

Signs of a Tongue Thrust

Children and adults with tongue thrust or related orofacial myofunctional concerns may demonstrate:

• Tongue visible between the teeth at rest

• Tongue pushing forward during swallowing

• Open-mouth resting posture

• Difficulty maintaining appropriate tongue resting posture

• Speech sound differences, particularly involving sounds such as S and Z

• An open bite or other dental concerns

• Teeth shifting following orthodontic treatment

• Difficulty keeping the lips comfortably closed at rest

• Mouth breathing

• A history of prolonged pacifier use or thumb/finger sucking

The presence of one of these signs does not necessarily mean someone requires therapy. A comprehensive evaluation helps determine whether an orofacial myofunctional pattern is affecting function.

Tongue Thrust and Speech

Because the tongue plays an important role in speech production, tongue posture and movement patterns may occur alongside certain articulation difficulties.

For example, some individuals with tongue thrust demonstrate interdental or distorted productions of sounds such as /s/and /z/.

As a licensed speech-language pathologist and myofunctional therapist, Dr. Bri can evaluate both the underlying oral movement patterns and speech production rather than viewing them as completely separate concerns.

Tongue Thrust and Orthodontics

The tongue exerts repeated pressure within the mouth throughout the day.

For some individuals, persistent oral habits or atypical resting and swallowing patterns may be relevant when dentists and orthodontists are addressing concerns such as an open bite, dental alignment, expansion, or orthodontic stability.

Myofunctional therapy may therefore be incorporated as part of a collaborative approach involving the patient, speech-language pathologist/myofunctional therapist, dentist, orthodontist, and other appropriate healthcare professionals.

How Myofunctional Therapy May Help

Myofunctional therapy focuses on the functional patterns of the mouth and face.

Depending on evaluation findings and individual needs, therapy may address areas such as:

• Tongue resting posture

• Lip closure

• Oral awareness

• Tongue mobility and coordination

• Swallowing patterns

• Speech production when appropriate

• Nasal breathing habits when appropriate

• Carryover of new oral patterns into everyday activities

Treatment recommendations are individualized rather than based on a single set of exercises for everyone.

Tongue Thrust Therapy for Children

For children, therapy is designed to be developmentally appropriate and considers the child's speech, oral habits, dentition, feeding history, airway-related concerns, and ability to participate in therapy.

When appropriate, parents are included so that new skills can be reinforced outside of therapy.

Tongue Thrust Therapy for Adults

Tongue thrust and orofacial myofunctional concerns are not limited to children.

Adults may seek an evaluation because of orthodontic concerns, changes in dental alignment, tongue posture, swallowing patterns, speech concerns, or recommendations from a dentist, orthodontist, or other healthcare professional.

Why Work With The Speech Dr.?

Dr. Bri Langlas, EdD, CCC-SLP, is a licensed speech-language pathologist with specialized training in myofunctional therapy.

This combination allows The Speech Dr. to consider how oral function relates to speech, swallowing, tongue posture, and communication while collaborating with dental, orthodontic, ENT, and other professionals when appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tongue thrust affect speech?

Tongue thrust and altered tongue posture can occur alongside certain speech sound differences, particularly sounds requiring precise tongue placement. An evaluation can help determine whether speech production and oral movement patterns are related.

Can adults have a tongue thrust?

Yes. Tongue thrust and altered oral resting or swallowing patterns can persist into adulthood.

Can tongue thrust affect orthodontic treatment?

Oral resting posture and swallowing patterns may be relevant to orthodontic stability for some individuals. Myofunctional therapy is often collaborative with dental and orthodontic care rather than a replacement for it.

Is tongue thrust therapy the same as speech therapy?

Not exactly. Traditional speech therapy primarily addresses communication and speech production, while myofunctional therapy focuses on patterns involving the tongue, lips, jaw, breathing, resting posture, and swallowing. Because Dr. Bri is both a speech-language pathologist and myofunctional therapist, both areas can be considered when appropriate.

How do I know if my child or I need therapy?

The first step is an evaluation or consultation. This helps determine whether the observed tongue posture or swallowing pattern is affecting speech, swallowing, oral function, or other areas and whether therapy is appropriate.

Schedule a Tongue Thrust Consultation

Concerned about tongue posture, swallowing, speech, or a possible tongue thrust?

Schedule a consultation with The Speech Dr. to determine whether a myofunctional evaluation may be appropriate for you or your child.

Serving families and adults throughout Orange County, California, with additional services available as permitted through telepractice.