Pediatric Speech Therapy for Tongue Thrust
in Bentonville, AR

Is your child having trouble with nursing, swallowing, or speech? Does it often look like their tongue pokes out between their teeth? This could be tongue thrust, a condition that can make everyday activities like speaking and feeding much more difficult for children.

Our No Limits Pediatric Therapy team can help your child overcome this condition. Our dedicated speech-language pathologists use engaging, play-based techniques to help children improve their tongue positioning for more explicit speech, safe swallowing, and enhanced confidence in life.

What Is Tongue Thrust?

Tongue thrust is when a child’s tongue moves forward during swallowing, speaking, or resting. Instead of staying behind the teeth, the tongue pushes against or between them.

This can lead to a range of issues, including speech problems, difficulty eating certain foods, and even changes in dental alignment. While tongue thrust is standard in infants, most babies outgrow it by about six months. If it persists beyond that point, speech therapy may be needed to prevent long-term effects.

What Causes Tongue Thrust?

Tongue thrust can develop for a variety of reasons. Some common causes include:

Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use
Habitual mouth-breathing due to allergies or nasal congestion
Enlarged tonsils
Misaligned teeth or jaw issues
Early childhood feeding habits, such as prolonged bottle-feeding
Undiagnosed tongue ties

How Can Tongue Thrust Affect Your Child's Development?

Tongue thrust may not seem like a big deal, but it can affect your child’s development in three significant ways:

Speech Development: Children with tongue thrust may have difficulty pronouncing certain sounds correctly, leading to speech that can be hard to understand.
Feeding Challenges: The condition can complicate chewing and swallowing and potentially lead to choking or other safety concerns.
Dental Health: When the tongue consistently pushes against the teeth, it can push the teeth out of alignment, leading to orthodontic problems over time.

How Speech Therapy Helps Children with Tongue Thrust

At No Limits Pediatric Therapy, our speech-language pathologists use a fun, play-based approach to help children build awareness of their tongue’s movements and practice proper oral posture. Through targeted exercises and activities, we guide children to learn to swallow correctly, speak clearly, and better control their tongue’s position.

Therapy may include tongue and lip exercises, breathing techniques, and strategies to correct oral habits. By focusing on the underlying causes of tongue thrust and promoting proper tongue movement, we empower children to build more vigorous speech and oral-motor skills. With routine therapy, we can support your child’s overall development so they can achieve a future with no limits.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Experts

Is tongue thrust affecting your child’s speech, feeding, or dental health? Do you want to know how we can help? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with our No Limits Pediatric Therapy expert team.