“How can I stop pushing on my front teeth when I swallow?”
When I swallow, I push on my front teeth with my tongue. This led me to need braces when I was younger, and I don't want to need them again. How can I stop this?
28 Answers
That is a great question. What you are describing is officially called a tongue thrust. There are devices that orthodontists can cement on your teeth and in the roof of your mouth to retrain this type of swallowing. Also speech therapists can assist in retraining this behavior. The older you are the more complex it is. But, if you can create improvement it is worth it. This type of force is very destructive on teeth, bone, and gums.
Hello. I am sorry you are having trouble. It sounds like you have a tongue thrust. The best option is for you is to see an orthodontist to confirm this. They might be able to make a tongue thrust appliance for you.
Let us know if we can be of any assistance.
Thanks!
Dr. Pinner
Let us know if we can be of any assistance.
Thanks!
Dr. Pinner
The only reason your tongue would be a problem for your front teeth would be if you don't keep your mouth closed with lips together most of the time - when you swallow, it's normal for your tongue to posture forward during the swallow - this force is counteracted by the opposing force that the lips provide to the teeth from the front as long as you typically have your lips and mouth closed, so there's usually not any movement of the teeth forward. Do you still wear your retainers from your previous orthodontics? If not, you should have your dentist evaluate whether you should be in retainers to help preserve the alignment you had after your braces. We always recommend retainers to be worn indefinitely after orthodontics, every night to prevent relapse.
Maxim Bondarenko
Dentist
Hello there likely you needed braces from tongue thrust habit when you were a kid and that's when kids push habitually forward with tongue which shifts position of you teeth.
What you are doing when you swallow is normal tongue requires contact with something in order to create a seal while swallowing (try swallowing with mouth open... Not very comfortable or effective). Usually is either front teeth or your palate. This isn't going to cause shift in your teeth if it were everyone would have crooked teeth.
What you are doing when you swallow is normal tongue requires contact with something in order to create a seal while swallowing (try swallowing with mouth open... Not very comfortable or effective). Usually is either front teeth or your palate. This isn't going to cause shift in your teeth if it were everyone would have crooked teeth.
This question is difficult to answer without having a professional evaluate the situation. There are so many growth changes that occur from childhood to adult, a tongue thrusting issue might not have the same outcome on the adult dentition as it did on the child dentition. Ortho rention is usually indefinite and this will help with any continual tongue habits that remain even after the braces are removed. So wear your retainer!
Hope that helps,
Jossi Stokes, DDS
Hope that helps,
Jossi Stokes, DDS
You need to retrain your tongue during swallowing, by wearing an orthodontic device that will "remind" your tongue and help keep it in the right position while you swallow. You're right, without retraining it, the tongue can cause the front teeth to move outward, requiring braces again! You will need to visit a dentist that has orthodontic training or a specialist, an orthodontist, to get this device.
I believe u had braces u should wear retainers to prevent teeth from moving and there is a habit breaking appliance which can be made for tongue thrusting u would have to be evaluated by a dentist or an orthodontist thanks
Two options make a strong retainer for your front teeth to hold them in position, or bond a barb to the outside surface of tooth to unlearn that habit
The best solution would be to get an evaluation done by a dentist or an orthodontist. If you have a tongue thrust and its causing your teeth to move again, its best to get an appliance but that of course will be determined once you visit a dental office.
You can have what we call a habit breaker to eliminate the pushing of the tongue.
You may have what is known as a tongue thrust. Your dentist can make you a dental appliance that can prevent your tongue from pushing on your front teeth while you sleep
The best way to avoid needing braces again is to wear retainers.
See an orthodontist and they can make you an appliance to prevent this
You are manifesting an adult type of tongue thrust as a carry over for when you were an infant and nursing. This condition results from a poor skeletal pattern that probably was responsible for you receiving braces in the first place. My recommendation would be first to go back to your orthodontist get a pack of elastics the smallest ones from them Place one elastic on the tip of your tongue and when you swallow push your tongue to the roof of your mouth so as not to lose the rubber band. Practicing this procedure 20 minutes a day will retrain your tongue to swallow in the correct position which is the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth behind your front teeth not on your front teeth.
The reverse swallow is a habit which should have been broken prior to start of your orthodontic treatment to prevent future relapse. This habit is broken using a tongue thrust habit breaker appliance. At this point see your orthodontist or dentist to get a retainer (make sure you are compliant in wearing this at nights) and possibly design it to prevent a tongue thrust. Even a consultation with an orthodontist will give you options. Hope this helps.
This can be a problem for frequent pressure on your teeth over time. Try to retrain your swallow reflex with your tongue to move back when swallowing. Easier said than done. Use a retainer at night. A clear tray retainer can be made at most dental offices or an orthodontist.
This may be a difficult task if it's a habit. However, when a certain habit is done during the day, you are able to catch yourself and stop yourself from doing it. At night time, it's a different story and that's when most people cause damage from bad habits. A nightguard possibly might help keep your tongue away at night time.
This is called "tongue thrust", it is an abnormal swallowing pattern that can cause your front teeth to be thrust forward by the force of your tongue which is a very strong muscle. A speech therapist can train you to develop a proper swallowing pattern to reduce/eradicate this problem!
Hello
Your condition is called tongue thrusting. Many people do it involuntarily. You cannot stop by yourself but many a times the treating orthodontist can make appliances or your general dentist can place some special struts on the teeth that are slightly sharp and remind your tongue to not be in position between teeth. Your dentist shall be able to better design and suggest more appropriate option. Hope this helps.
Your condition is called tongue thrusting. Many people do it involuntarily. You cannot stop by yourself but many a times the treating orthodontist can make appliances or your general dentist can place some special struts on the teeth that are slightly sharp and remind your tongue to not be in position between teeth. Your dentist shall be able to better design and suggest more appropriate option. Hope this helps.
This is a biomechanics problem. There may not be enough room for the tongue. Or your lips are not able to close when swallowing.
It really is just a mental task. You have to consciously think about it and rest your tongue against your palate when you drink. It is very important to continue to do it over and over again until it is second nature. Sucking on your lips once in a while will help move the teeth back into position as odd as that may sound. Also, don't forget the power of the retainers!! These need to be used for the rest of your life every night.
What you describe is called a tongue thrusting habit. You may need tongue physical therapy to retrain your tongue muscles to swallow without pushing on your front teeth. There are physical therapists who specialize in this field. Talk to your dentist or orthodontist for a referral.
Talk to your dentist and get a retainer.
Well you alone cannot stop it, braces may be needed with a tongue thrust device and a speech therapist.
Tongue thrust appliance
This is usually caused by an anterior tongue thrust. Often, enlarged tonsils will cause the tongue to posture forward, so you should be checking your tonsils. Anterior tongue thrust can often lead to relapse. There are appliances that help myofunctionally retrain the tongue.
Lingual Cleats can be placed at the back of your front teeth to prevent your tongue to thrust. These are small pieces of ortho appliances that are bonded to the back of the teeth.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Try to train your tongue to go up and back when you swallow. It is a process and doesn't' happen overnight. Sometimes, you can seek help from a Myofunctional Therapist. They usually can be dental hygienists that work with orthodontists.
Tongue habits can be signs of future sleep apnea, so be aware of those signs and symptoms.
Dr Gonzalez
Tongue habits can be signs of future sleep apnea, so be aware of those signs and symptoms.
Dr Gonzalez
