Kids Dental Online - Plano & Carrollton

Pediatric Kids Dentist Plano Carrollton

Plano Office
3001 N Dallas Parkway, Suite B
Plano, TX 75093
Phone: 972-378-5437
       
Carrollton Office
1912 E Hebron Parkway, Suite 104
Carrollton, TX 75007
Phone: 972-394-2140
  • Home
  • Our Team
    • What is a Pediatric Dentist?
    • Meet Our Team of Pediatric Dentists
    • Jeffrey D. Holt, DDS, MS
    • Moisa Sapozhnikov, DDS
    • Mindy Li, DDS
    • Nathan Cotten, DDS, MS – Orthodontist
    • Dental Hygienists
  • Dental Topics
    • Toothaches in Children
    • Pulp Therapy in Children
    • Bruxism is Teeth Grinding or Jaw Clenching in Children
    • Tongue Thrusting in Children
    • Baby Dental Topics
      • Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
      • Dental Hygiene For Babies And Toddlers
      • Stages of Teething and Helpful Hints
      • Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers “Non-nutritive Sucking Habits”
    • Can Oral Piercings Affect Your Teeth?
    • Oral Hygiene
      • Dental Cavities and How to Prevent Them
      • Bad Breath in Children
      • Dental Fluoride Treatments in Children
      • Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities in Children
      • Dental Treatment for Tooth Decay
      • Oral Health and Gum Disease
      • Enamel Hypoplasia/Enamel Defect
      • Eating Healthy to Promote Strong Teeth in Children
      • Foods That Stain Teeth
      • Soda Drinking and Its Effect on Teeth
      • Sports Drinks Can Be Harmful to Teeth
      • Vaping Can Affect Oral Health
        • How Can Vaping Affect My Teen’s Oral Health?
      • Permanent Tooth Eruption In Children
    • White Dental Crowns for Kids
    • Is Teeth Whitening Safe For Children?
    • Wisdom Teeth
      • Over-Retained Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth)
        • Treating Over-Retained Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth)
    • Hyperdontia Supernumerary Teeth
    • Hypodontia (Missing Teeth)
    • Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)
      • Treating Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)
    • Tips & Safety
      • Eating Disorders Can Affect Kid’s Teeth
      • Preventing and Treating Oral Damage from Eating Disorders
      • Xylitol Dental Benefits
      • Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Children
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Dental Health Resources
      • Dental Sedation
      • Healthy Eating
      • Motivating Your Child to Brush Their Teeth
      • Mouth Guards Prevent Dental Injury in Sports
      • Pediatric Dental X-rays (Radiography) and Safety
    • Dental Emergencies
    • Orthodontics
      • Why Young Kids Need Braces
      • Types of Braces
      • Orthodontic Daily Care
        • Caring for Braces
        • How do you care for braces
        • Helpful Tips for Braces
      • Jaw Surgery for Orthodontics (Maxilla and Mandible)
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Tongue Thrusting in Children

Tongue thrusting, also called reverse or immature swallowing, is the habitual activity of pushing the tongue forward against the lips to seal the mouth for swallowing. Tongue thrusting repeatedly places pressure on the upper front teeth which can cause them to be pushed out of alignment over time. Tongue thrusting is normal in young infants, however, as a child becomes ready for solid food (usually around six months of age), the tongue and orofacial muscles begin to strengthen and the teething process starts, at which time a child typically develops a mature swallow (the tongue is pushed back and up). Learn more in Dental Topics.

Possible causes of tongue thrusting include:

  • Thumb sucking
  • Ankyloglossia (tongue tie)
  • Macroglossia (enlarged tongue)
  • Enlarged tonsils
  • Allergies/nasal congestion
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Mouth breathing
  • Some artificial nipples used in feeding
  • Physiological abnormalities
  • Heredity

While most children naturally outgrow tongue thrusting before age four, it is not uncommon or a cause for concern if a child exhibits tongue thrusting up to four years of age. If a child continues to tongue thrust after age four, the habit becomes strengthened and often requires a retraining program or orthodontic assistance to correct. If left untreated, tongue thrusting can have adverse effects on the teeth and mouth.

How Can Tongue Thrusting Affect the Teeth?

Tongue thrusting causes the tongue to be in an incorrect position while swallowing. Each time a person swallows (usually 1,000-2,000 times per day), approximately four pounds of pressure is exerted. When the tongue is incorrectly placed while tongue thrusting, this pressure pushes against the teeth, which can force them out of alignment. After the age of four, this subconscious habit can be difficult to reverse.

Possible effects of tongue thrusting include:

  • Teeth misalignment (open bite)
  • Erratic mandibular (jaw) movement
  • Irregular tongue movements
  • Reversal of ongoing or prior orthodontic treatment

What is the Treatment for Tongue Thrusting?

The treatment technique that has been proven most successful in correcting tongue thrusting is oral habit training. This method involves an exercise plan to reeducate the oral muscles that are used during swallowing. A trained speech therapist can help implement this change in the swallowing pattern to allow the tongue to become accustomed to staying in its proper position. If thumb sucking and/or tongue tie is involved, these should be treated prior to beginning the tongue thrusting therapy.

Orthodontic Treatment for Tongue Thrusting

In some cases, an orthodontic appliance similar to a retainer may be recommended to help correct tongue thrusting. A custom orthodontic device (called a tongue crib or gate) can be designed specifically to suit your child’s needs. The device may only need to be worn at night, but more frequently, the tongue crib is attached to the molars or an expander and remains in place until treatment is completed and the orthodontist removes it.

How Does a Tongue Crib Work?

The tongue crib is placed behind the top front teeth to prevent the tongue from pushing against the teeth. The crib also keeps the tongue from protruding during swallowing. In this way, the tongue becomes retrained to stay in the correct position for swallowing. The length of time the tongue crib is worn varies from case to case and may be a few months or may last the duration of orthodontic treatment.

As with any orthodontic appliance, good oral hygiene and avoidance of hard, sticky foods are recommended to keep the device in proper working order. Tongue thrusting correction techniques (tongue therapy and/or the use of an orthodontic device) are most successful when both the patient and parents are committed to the treatment.

If your child has not outgrown tongue thrusting or you are concerned that tongue thrusting has caused misalignment of your child’s teeth, please contact the pediatric dental specialists at Kids Dental for an evaluation.

Disclaimer: These pages are for educational purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the services provided by this practice/facility. They are not intended to provide dental, medical or surgical advice or doctor instruction on care or treatment. If you are a patient, consult with your doctor about treatment options that may be appropriate for your medical condition.

kids dental topics pediatric dentist dr jeff holtInfant Dental Topics

  • Why Baby Teeth Are Important
  • Five Stages of Teething and Helpful Hints 
  • Dental Hygiene for Babies and Toddlers
  • Baby Bottle (Nursing) Tooth Decay
  • Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers “Non-nutritive Sucking Habits”

Infant Dental Topics

  • Why Baby Teeth Are Important
  • Five Stages of Teething and Helpful Hints 
  • Dental Hygiene for Babies and Toddlers
  • Baby Bottle (Nursing) Tooth Decay
  • Thumb Sucking and Pacifiers “Non-nutritive Sucking Habits”
detnal topics

Children Dental Topics

  • Permanent Tooth Eruption in Children
  • Dental Cavities and How to Prevent Cavities
  • Dental Fillings, Stainless-steel Crowns-Treatment for Tooth Decay
  • Zirconia White Dental Crowns for Kids
  • Oral Health and Gum Disease
  • Motivating Your Child to Brush Their Teeth
  • When Should I Change My Toothbrush?
  • Choosing the Best Toothpaste for Children
  • Eating Healthy to Promote Strong Teeth in Children
  • Dental Sealants Prevent Cavities in Children
  • Dental Fluoride Treatments in Children
  • Mouth Guards Prevent Dental Injury in Sports
  • Enamel Hypoplasia/Enamel Defect
  • Bad Breath in Children – Halitosis
  • The Top Drinks and Foods That Stain Teeth
  • Sports Drinks Can Be Harmful to Teeth
  • Xylitol Dental Benefits

Pediatric Dental Emergencies

  • Read about pediatric dental emergencies and what to do when they occur.

Safety in Pediatric Dentistry

  • Pediatric Dental X-rays (Radiography) and Safety
  • Dental Sedation and Safety
  • Product Recalls and Health Alerts

Dental Health Resources

  • Web resources on pediatric dental care.

orthodontic braces

Pediatric Orthodontic Topics

  • Why Young Kids Need Braces
  • Types of Braces
  • Caring for Braces
  • Helpful Tips for Braces
  • Jaw Surgery for Orthodontics (Maxilla and Mandible)
    At Kids Dental, your child’s health and safety are a top priority. If you have questions about your child’s teeth, please schedule a consultation with one of our pediatric dentists or orthodontist by completing an Online Appointment Request or calling either office.    

Plano Office Online Appointment Request Phone: 972-394-2140

 

Carrollton Office Online Appointment Request Phone:972-378-5437

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Kids Dental

Plano and Carrollton, Texas

Pediatric Dentists

  • Dr. Jeffrey Holt
  • Dr. Moisa Sapozhnikov
  • Dr. Mindy Li

Orthodontist

Dr. Nathan Cotten

Plano Office

Kids Dental Plano
3001 N Dallas Parkway, Suite B
Plano, Texas 75093

Phone: 972-378-5437

Carrollton Office

Kids Dental Carrollton
1912 E Hebron Parkway, Suite 104

Carrollton, Texas 75007

Phone: 972-394-2140

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