Tongue Thrust Talk
Fact or Myth?
- Prolonged dummy sucking can cause dental problems later in life.
- FACT. Dummy use beyond the age of 3 contributes to a higher incidence of open bite, posterior cross bite and narrow intercuspid widthl.
- Thumb sucking is not as damaging as dummy sucking.
- MYTH. Thumb and finger sucking can also have a significant impact on dentition and speech. It is linked with a higher incidence of anterior open bite compared to children who do not digit-suck?
- It’s too late for primary-school aged children with an anterior open bite to rectify the effects of early dummy or thumb sucking.
- MYTH. Speech Pathologists trained in oro-facial myology can work in conjunction with dentists to
change muscle habits, significantly reducing the likelihood of ongoing dental difficulties
- MYTH. Speech Pathologists trained in oro-facial myology can work in conjunction with dentists to
Your First Taste
Welcome to the first edition of Tongue Thrust Talk, your weekly bite-sized source of information for everything
related to tongue thrust and orofacial myology.
Good orofacial muscle function is crucial to helping prevent dental alterations and difficulties. It is also very
important for clear speech, swallowing and breathing.
This 7-part newsletter aims to provide dentists and orthodontists with helpful information to assist them in
achieving outstanding orofacial outcomes for their It also aims to patients. provide information about when to refer patients for an speech orofacial and evaluation. Next week: What is tongue thrust?
