Tongue thrust (also called reverse swallow or immature swallow) is a pseudo-pathological name of what is either considered a normal adaptive lip seal mechanism, whereby normal nasal breathing or normal swallowing can occur, or seen as an oral myofunctional disorder – a tongue muscle pattern that is perceived as clinically abnormal and in which the tongue protrudes anteriorly to seal otherwise incompetent lips.

Tongue thrusting is only seen during speech, swallowing or eating, and in order to close otherwise incompetent lips on background of an almost ubiquitous small lower jaw and anterior open bite. The behaviour is apparent only during a normal awake state, and whilst the tongue (and rest of the body) is in normal resting tone.

or in particular during non-conscious states.

By six months of age most lose the forward extent of this push once paediatric incisal teeth erupt, and normal lip seal is automatically acquired as solid foods begin.

Either it is a normal adaptive means of closing an open (or incompetent) lip state, caused by a unique combination of anatomical reasons, or. 2.

In generality, tongue thrusting is poorly understood. In particular it lacks consensus on many points of description, causality, effect or management and between the various clinical groups that each offer different forms of treatments or philosophies of professional interest.

Since 1958, the term “tongue thrust” has been described and discussed in speech and orthodontic (dental) publications and by a range of writers – and speaking from specific non-medical professional perspectives and clinical biases – as a pathological event that exists as an entity for itself and without fundamental or primary functional or necessary cause.[citation needed].

In both professions, tongue thrust is represented as a behavioural disturbance which can be taught to be resisted. Such interventional therapy is represented to strongly assist orthodontic or speech pathologist efforts at resolution of both the speech and orthodontic effects of anterior open bite and the associated lip incompetence of both.

As with normal reflexes, most school-age children have tongue thrust if looked for. For example, according to recent literature, as many as 67–95 percent of children 5–8 years old exhibit tongue thrust, which may professionally be represented as associated with or contributing to an orthodontic or speech problem – depending on the clinical bias of proposal.

However, if a tongue thrust pattern is retained beyond infancy, it can be seen through a lens of abnormality, and this vulnerable to clinical bias and attempts to clinically interact.

Sometimes, the only teeth that touch are the molars, with the bite completely open on both sides including the anterior teeth. A large tongue can also be noted.

Factors that can contribute to tongue thrusting include macroglossia (enlarged tongue), thumb sucking, large tonsils, hereditary factors, ankyloglossia (tongue tie), and certain types of artificial nipples used in feeding infants, also allergies or nasal congestion can cause the tongue to lie low in the mouth because of breathing obstruction and finally contributing to tongue thrusting.

Tongue extrusion is normal in infants.

A person swallows from 1,200 to 2,000 times every 24 hours with about 4 pounds (1.8 kg) of pressure each time. If a person has tongue thrusting, this continuous pressure tends to force the teeth out of alignment.

the force of the tongue against the teeth is an important factor in contributing to “bad bite” (malocclusion). Many orthodontists have completed dental treatment with what appeared to be good results, only to discover that the case relapsed because of the patient’s tongue thrust.[citation needed] If the tongue is allowed to continue its pushing action against the teeth, it will continue to push the teeth forward and reverse the orthodontic work.

Speech may be affected by a tongue thrust swallowing pattern. Sounds such as /s/, /z/, /t/, /d/, /n/, and /l/ are produced by placing the tongue on the upper alveolar ridge, and therefore a tongue thrust may distort these sounds.

Chewing and swallowing with dysfunctional muscle patterning (as in a tongue thrust) is not as effective as a normal chewing and swallowing motion.

Orofacial myofunctional therapists teach oral rest posture and chewing/swallowing mechanics without appliances.

There can be various reasons for improper swallowing, including: ‍.

It is important to note that causes for incorrect swallowing can vary from person to person. If you suspect that you or someone you know has incorrect swallowing patterns, it is best to contact a doctor so that he/she can evaluate the severity of your situation.

However, it is common to experience difficulty mewing and swallowing correctly when you are a newcomer. ‍.

Correct tongue posture is when your tongue rests on the roof of your mouth, behind your front teeth. Your lips should be closed and your teeth can either be slightly separated or gently touched.

Here are a few ways that can help you correct your tongue posture, which will ultimately help you swallow correctly. ‍.

John Mew, recommends this technique as it is one of the most effective methods to achieve proper tongue posture. Here is how you can do this method.

Maintaining correct tongue posture may seem difficult at first, but if you keep on practicing this technique and get your tongue posture right, you will be amazed by the effects that it has on your health and facial appearance.

Tongue thrusting (commonly known as tongue placement habit) is the incorrect pushing of the tongue towards our teeth when swallowing. Human beings are constantly swallowing, so our tongues exert enormous pressure on our teeth every time we swallow.

The correct position for the tongue is when the tip pushes against the gum above your upper front teeth, which is where the tip of your tongue should rest. So when done incorrectly, the constant pressure of the tongue will force the teeth out of alignment.

Most of the common causes begin as habits when we are babies, while others might be genetic or physiological abnormalities. Let’s take a look at them:

A child exhibits a tongue thrust pattern from birth because it is an infantile swallowing condition. However, this type of swallowing pattern is not a cause for extreme concern up to age 4.

If the child has not naturally outgrown the habit by age 4, the thrust is strengthened, becomes an issue, and will require a training program to correct the problem. Alpharetta Orthodontists, general dentists, pedodontists, pediatricians, and speech therapists will detect the problem.

Keep in mind that most children will not report discomfort or the condition on their own, as tongue thrusting is entirely natural to them. They have had it, quite literally, most of their lives, so the diagnosis generally occurs when the child displays a dental or speech concern that needs correction.

This metal device fits in the top front of the patient’s mouth, and we generally use it to help children who are in elementary or middle school age. Kids may suffer from abnormal tooth, jaw, muscular, and skeletal development due to harmful habits, and a tongue crib discourages these behaviors.

Usually, your kid’s orthodontist will recommend using the tongue cage for several months at a time, but you could try discouraging the habits at home through other means. The tongue crib will remain permanently attached by two rings (also known as bands) installed around the molars at the back of the mouth.

Consequently, the tongue will stop protruding and pushing against the teeth, and it will help the child keep their language back when swallowing. Unconsciously, your kid will stop placing their thumb in their mouth and stop the behavior.

The problem occurs because when a child sucks their finger, they also push their tongue toward their front teeth. As you may have seen already in this explanation, such a movement alters the position of primary teeth and incoming permanent teeth, which inevitably affects their tooth alignment and skeletal growth.

Alternatively, a tongue crib also helps close the open bite gap to help your children’s incoming permanent teeth and begin solving the problem of tooth protrusion. They can be.

An orthodontist may add a tongue crib to your child’s removable retainers, but they may also be permanent appliances requiring specialized tools to put them on or remove them. Make sure to consult with the orthodontist about the most efficient type for your child.

Keep in mind that some cases remain unsolved because the patients do not follow professional recommendations. Still, if you believe your child will follow all directions, you can ask the orthodontist about a removable appliance and remind your child to wear their tongue cribs and not lose them.

If you help your child throughout the entire process, it won’t matter much if the appliance is removable or not. they will feel comfortable and encouraged to progress on their own until they overcome their tongue thrust habit.

It can be worn in as little as a few months, up to the entire duration of orthodontic treatment in Alpharetta. With sincere commitment and cooperation from the child and parent, correction is often possible if there are no added layers of neuromuscular impairments.

There is a minority of cases where the patient cannot overcome the condition, but this is mostly due to a lack of commitment to the necessary therapy sessions and doctor recommendations. Sometimes tongue thrust is overlooked during childhood, and we find teens and adults who have never addressed the issue.

From Tongue Thrust Braces to night guard for tongue thrusts, let’s explore our options: For any successful treatment, you will need the expertise of your orthodontist and the patient’s commitment to the treatment.

If you suspect your child, your teen, or you might have a tongue thrusting problem, please contact Newpark Orthodontics at your local Roswell Orthodontist for a consultation.

People with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing and may even experience pain while swallowing (odynophagia). Some people may be completely unable to swallow or may have trouble safely swallowing liquids, foods, or saliva.

Often, dysphagia makes it difficult to take in enough calories and fluids to nourish the body and can lead to additional serious medical problems. Swallowing is a complex process.

This happens in three stages. During the first stage, called the oral phase, the tongue collects the food or liquid, making it ready for swallowing.

Chewing makes solid food the right size and texture to swallow by mixing the food with saliva. Saliva softens and moistens the food to make swallowing easier.

Everything else that we swallow is in the form of a liquid, a puree, or a chewed solid. The second stage begins when the tongue pushes the food or liquid to the back of the mouth.

During this phase, called the pharyngeal phase, the larynx (voice box) closes tightly and breathing stops to prevent food or liquid from entering the airway and lungs. The third stage begins when food or liquid enters the esophagus, the tube that carries food and liquid to the stomach.

Dysphagia occurs when there is a problem with the neural control or the structures involved in any part of the swallowing process. Weak tongue or cheek muscles may make it hard to move food around in the mouth for chewing.

Another difficulty can occur when weak throat muscles, such as after cancer surgery, cannot move all of the food toward the stomach. Dysphagia may also result from disorders of the esophagus.

Someone who cannot swallow safely may not be able to eat enough of the right foods to stay healthy or maintain an ideal weight. Food pieces that are too large for swallowing may enter the throat and block the passage of air.

Food or liquid that stays in the airway may enter the lungs and allow harmful bacteria to grow, resulting in a lung infection called aspiration pneumonia. Swallowing disorders may also include the development of a pocket outside the esophagus caused by weakness in the esophageal wall.

While lying down or sleeping, someone with this problem may draw undigested food into the throat. The esophagus may also be too narrow, causing food to stick.

Dysphagia has many possible causes and happens most frequently in older adults. Any condition that weakens or damages the muscles and nerves used for swallowing may cause dysphagia.

Additionally, stroke or head injury may weaken or affect the coordination of the swallowing muscles or limit sensation in the mouth and throat. People born with abnormalities of the swallowing mechanism may not be able to swallow normally.

In addition, cancer of the head, neck, or esophagus may cause swallowing problems. Sometimes the treatment for these types of cancers can cause dysphagia.

An infection or irritation can cause narrowing of the esophagus. Finally, for people with dementia, memory loss and cognitive decline may make it difficult to chew and swallow.

Medical doctors and speech-language pathologists who evaluate and treat swallowing disorders use a variety of tests that allow them to look at the stages of the swallowing process.

Such images help identify where in the swallowing process you are experiencing problems. Speech-language pathologists use this method to explore what changes can be made to offer a safe strategy when swallowing.

If you are unable to swallow safely despite rehabilitation strategies, then medical or surgical intervention may be necessary for the short-term as you recover. In progressive conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease), a feeding tube in the stomach may be necessary for the long-term.

For others, treatment may involve learning to eat in a special way. For example, some people may have to eat with their head turned to one side or looking straight ahead.

For instance, people who cannot swallow thin liquids may need to add special thickeners to their drinks. Other people may have to avoid hot or cold foods or drinks.

These individuals must use other methods to nourish their bodies. Usually this involves a feeding system, such as a feeding tube, that bypasses or supplements the part of the swallowing mechanism that is not working normally.

Every aspect of the swallowing process is being studied in people of all ages, including those who do not have dysphagia, to give researchers a better understanding of how normal and disordered processes compare. Research has also led to new, safe ways to study tongue and throat movements during the swallowing process.

Studies of treatment methods are helping scientists discover why some forms of treatment work with some people and not with others. This knowledge will help some people avoid serious lung infections and help others avoid tube feedings.

He or she may refer you to an otolaryngologist—a doctor who specializes in diseases of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck—and a speech-language pathologist. You may be referred to a neurologist if a stroke or other neurologic disorder is the cause of the swallowing problem.

Use the following keywords to help you find organizations that can answer questions and provide information on dysphagia:.

Besides accidentally hitting your funny bone or stubbing your big toe on the leg of a coffee table, biting your tongue can be one of the most annoyingly painful mishaps we often face. The tongue makes chewing, swallowing and talking possible, so when you bite your tongue, it can be very difficult (and very painful) to function normally.

But why does something so minor hurt so badly. Here we explain why biting your tongue hurts so much, and what you can do about it when it happens — again.

It contains around 8,000 motor units, which give it the ability to move with impressive precision and flexibility. Several nerves and muscle fibers also make up the tongue’s anatomy, adding to the tongue’s sensory abilities.

Each taste bud contains thousands of cells that connect directly to the brain stem’s nerves. This means that the tongue’s perception of taste, temperature, texture and, unfortunately, pain is highly acute — ouch.

So, if you do find yourself in a tongue-biting situation, you’ll want to make sure to treat it properly. Depending on how severely you bite your tongue, healing time and level of treatment can vary.

However, in most instances, you can treat your tongue bite at home using these steps:.

Medically reviewed by: Sharon Boyd, MA, BS, RDH. This article has been updated and reviewed for accuracy on 06/03/23.

It can happen to anyone, and there are several reasons why it occurs.

In this article, we will explore the reasons why individuals bite their tongue, issues that can occur, and how they can stop the action. One of the most common reasons why individuals bite their tongue is due to nervousness and anxiety.

It can also happen during sleep if someone is having a nightmare or experiencing a stressful dream. Bruxism is a condition where an individual grinds or clenches their teeth, and it can occur during the day or at night.

Bruxism is often associated with stress and anxiety, and it can also lead to other dental problems such as jaw pain and tooth sensitivity. Malocclusion refers to a misalignment of the teeth, which can cause an individual to bite their tongue unintentionally.

Some medications can cause side effects such as dry mouth or muscle spasms, which can lead to unintentional tongue biting. This is especially common with medications that are used to treat neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or epilepsy.

Here are some of the issues that can occur: Biting your tongue can cause injury to the tongue, such as cuts or bruises.

If the tongue injury is severe, it can lead to infection. This can happen if bacteria enter the wound and cause an infection.

If the injury to the tongue is severe, it can lead to speech impairment. This can happen if the injury affects the tongue’s ability to move properly, which can make it difficult to form words or speak clearly.

Here are a few possible reasons: If you find yourself biting your tongue often, there are several things you can do to stop the action.

If you bite your tongue due to nervousness or anxiety, practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation can help. These techniques can help calm your mind and reduce stress and anxiety, which can help reduce the likelihood of unintentional tongue biting.

Mouthguards can protect your teeth and prevent grinding and clenching, as well as prevent the teeth from making direct contact with the tongue.

Orthodontic treatment can help realign your teeth and prevent them from interfering with the movement of your tongue. If you think your medication may be causing your tongue biting, speak with your doctor.

Tenderness, bleeding, bruising and incessant throbbing are uncomfortable symptoms when you constantly bite your tongue. Fortunately, relieving it is possible.

Severe tongue biting problems can lead to tongue scalloping, soreness and ulcers. More than likely,you’ll be able to see a white line down the side of your tongue where you keep biting it.

There are a number of causes for tongue biting while asleep. One common reason is when your tongue is enlarged or swollen.

But other reasons why people bite their tongue include.

Additional causes include. rhythmic disorder, nocturnal seizures and sleep bruxism.

While tongue biting is not a direct symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s worth noting that MS can potentially affect coordination, muscle control, and balance, which may indirectly contribute to accidental tongue biting in some cases. MS is a chronic neurological condition that affects the central nervous system, causing various symptoms depending on the location and severity of the damage to the nerves.

In rare instances, MS-related muscle weakness or coordination difficulties could potentially lead to accidental tongue biting, particularly during activities that require precise motor control or coordination, such as speaking or eating. However, if you’re experiencing tongue biting or any other unusual symptoms, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation and proper diagnosis.

Sometimes we suffer an injury to the tongue separate from biting it.

Depending on the severity of the cut, you may need to seek emergency help. If the cut is not so severe, here are some suggestions for treatment:

When we start to break down some of the common reasons for tongue biting, it can help us to betterunderstand the causes and symptoms. Nocturnal Seizures (Nighttime Seizures)Having seizures during the night can lead to involuntary biting of your tongue.

Since seizures can cause muscle tension and jerking movements, it’s commonfor these individuals to experience self-induced injuries as part of their episode. Tongue biting is a common symptom in people suffering from seizures.

However,the condition can be diagnosed by observing their brainwaves. Prescription medication is theprimary treatment for this medical disorder.

Rhythmic movement disorder involves jerky and rapid movements throughout the body, including the head and neck.Rhythmic movement disorder is most common in children and doesn’t always result in injuries. But when it’s severe, it can lead to tongue injuries.

The victim can sufferfrom various injuries, tongue biting included. In serious but rare cases, brain and eye damage may occur.The movements associated with this condition usually go unnoticed by the sufferer.

In many cases, children simply grow out of it over time, so medical treatment may not be needed. But in cases that involve adults, controlled sleep restrictions or prescribed medications can be used to treat their condition.

In most cases, it is accompanied by other sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea, which causes pauses in breathing.Daytime clenching and grinding can also be caused by chronic stress. If you suspect that you have bruxism, look for symptoms of headaches, jaw pain, and flattened or worn teeth.

Snoring, a large neck circumference, teeth grinding, and headaches are common problems that can accompany certain types of sleep apnea. People with the habit of grinding their teeth whilesleeping may accidentally bite their tongue.

Doctors and sleep dentistry providers can administer treatment for sleep apnea to manage symptoms of airway blockage and tongue biting. This bacterial infection negatively affects the brain and nervous system, resulting in incorrect or misfired nerve signals throughout your body.

MDMA, or ecstasy is a synthetic, psychoactive drug that acts as a stimulant to increases energy and pleasure sensations. Many people who use “Molly” eventually experience severe damage to their tongue, gums, and cheeks.

Prescribed medications like antidepressants can sometimes have negative reactions or side effects that lead to tongue biting during sleep. If you’ve noticed tongue biting being worse after taking certain medications, be sure to speak to your doctor about it.

Image: iStock. Parents find various activities of their babies to be humorous.

You may have noticed your child nibbling on their tongue several times and wondered why they do it. Chewing on the tongue is quite common among babies and is usually their reaction to discovering their tongue.

Read this post to learn about the different reasons babies chew their tongues, how to deal with it, and when you should be concerned about your baby’s tongue-chewing habit. Dr.

It can be a feeding reflex in tiny babies and represent teething in babies three to four months or older (a soothing behavior). It can also signify the need or desire for solid foods in babies five to six months and older.

Here are some of the common reasons for the tongue chewing habit among babies. Image: Shutterstock.

Tongue chewing could be a result of them discovering it. They move their tongue to enjoy their discovery and make chewing motions in the process.

Apart from crying, babies tend to express their hunger in multiple forms. Chewing on their tongue could be one of the ways of indicating their hunger to a caregiver.

Therefore, they may resort to chewing their own tongue when hungry. Babies are born with several reflexes that help in their nutrition and protection (1).

The sucking reflex causes the infant to start to suck when their palate (mouth’s roof) is touched. The baby may extend their tongue and appear to chew, nibble, or gnaw on it if their palate is touched with another object, such as a pacifier or a feeding spoon.

This reflex helps the baby latch to the bottle or the breast nipple. However, the reflex might be triggered by other objects, such as the baby’s own fingers, and the baby may extend their tongue out and appear to chew on it.

Babies look for multiple ways to subside the pain and discomfort caused by teeth development. Rubbing their gums and chewing on soft objects are the few ways babies use to alleviate discomfort.

If your baby is chewing their tongue due to teething, they will show other signs of teeth development, such as gum inflammation, excessive drool or slobber, and a constant urge to rub their gums (3). Babies between four and six months of age may chew their tongue as a sign of preparing themselves for eating solids.

These developmental milestones may make the baby experiment with their tongue and chew on it often. Image: Shutterstock.

You can check for the possible reasons and consider the following interventions. Teething foods might be a little messier but are much healthier.

Use them fresh after thoroughly washing and refrigerating for a couple of hours. An additional advantage is that your baby will grow used to the taste of these super foods and love to eat them as she grows.

Therefore, do not force them to stop doing it. Exploring parts of their body is the baby’s way of learning about themselves and the world around them.

Image: Shutterstock. Baby’s tongue chewing habit is seldom a cause for concern.

However, you may consult the doctor in the following scenarios. Dr.

Hypothyroidism is generally caught on the neonatal screen done at birth and two weeks. If caught early and treated immediately, most children have normal development.”.

Individuals with autism may display repeated tongue chewing or lip biting, but it is not a confirmatory sign of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in babies (8). ASD is a complex condition diagnosed with multiple diagnostic tests at different stages of a child’s life (9).

Speak to a doctor or ASD specialist to know more about the various other symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. “Chewing on one side of your baby’s tongue may mean an orofacial abnormality presenting as a tongue in an odd position or a tongue with an odd shape.

Wiener opines. 1.

Tongue thrust refers to a phenomenon where the tongue appears to be pushed forward (from the mouth) by the lower teeth (10). Babies inherently have a tongue thrust reflex until about six months, which is responsible for preventing them from aspirating food (11).

Can a pacifier cause tongue thrust.

However, early interventions and timely medical support could help prevent any complications. Tongue chewing in babies is a common habit that might be observed and goes away on its own.

However, it is advised that you keep a check on your baby to figure out the reason behind their tongue chewing. In case this activity interferes with their feeding, stays for long periods of time, or is accompanied by other anomalies, consult your pediatrician promptly.

This, in turn, can cause the baby to chew or bite their tongue frequently. Go through the infographic below to learn about some such conditions.SaveIllustration: Momjunction Design Team.

Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

If you happen to notice you have a swollen tongue, a.k.a. glossitis, you might be a bit concerned.

And much like swollen feet or swollen tonsils, you’re likely to notice something is up right away. It doesn’t take long to notice when your tongue is suddenly too large for your mouth.

), but fear not: “Swelling of the tongue can be caused by a variety of different problems, most of which are self-limiting and not serious,” says Clare Morrison, M.D., general practitioner and medical advisor at MedExpress.

Likewise, if the swelling persists (say, 10 days or longer), gets worse, or you’re experiencing other concerning symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, or fever, then definitely check in with your doctor. No matter the cause of your swollen tongue, you’re likely to experience a variety of related symptoms.

As for what might be causing your tongue to puff up. Below, experts share 11 possible culprits.

Morrison.

Morrison), while soothing the injury by sucking on an ice cube, popping ibuprofen, and using a gentle mouthwash to prevent infections. Hot or sharp pieces of food can cause tongue irritation and swelling too, especially if those eats are acidic (like hard sour candies) or hot and spicy (chilies and curries), Dr.

Try eliminating some of these types of foods from your diet to see if your tongue swelling improves. Additionally, “Some people tend to chew on their tongue during their sleep,” notes Dr.

“Especially if they experience something such as a TMJ disorder.”. Certain toothpaste and mouthwash ingredients can cause tongue swelling that won’t resolve until the inciting ingredient is discontinued, says Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D.

Hydrogen peroxide (often found in teeth-whitening products), alcohol (found in mouthwashes), baking soda (in many toothpastes), and cinnamates (found in chewing gum).

Shainhouse. Allergic reactions are caused by the immune system overreacting to something it’s exposed to.

The allergic response involves the release of histamine, narrowing of small blood vessels, and the accumulation of fluid in the tissues, says Dr. Morrison.

Allergic reactions can be treated with antihistamines or oral steroids. Serious reactions can ultimately restrict breathing, which is why people who know they can react to specific foods or bites must carry an EpiPen and administer it immediately.

The medications best known for causing allergic reactions—and associated tongue swelling—are blood pressure medications known as ACE-I inhibitors. “They can cause potentially life-threatening tongue swelling that can occur at any time during therapy,” says Dr.

“It doesn’t necessarily occur when first taken.”. Anti-inflammatories (like aspirin and ibuprofen) and antibiotics (penicillin, antivirals), can also trigger an allergic reaction.

Morrison. Treatment must be sought right away, and depending on severity, can include antihistamines, steroids, and intramuscular adrenaline.

“You may also get tingling in the hands and feet, fatigue, and weakness,” says Dr. Morrison.

Increasing your intake of these vitamins by eating foods like meat, fish, eggs, leafy greens, beans, and lentils, can relieve symptoms, but major vitamin and mineral deficiencies should ultimately be investigated by your doctor, says Dr. Morrison.

Stomach acid that travels to the throat (laryngopharyngeal reflux, or LPR), may irritate the tongue and cause swelling. “You may notice an acidic or bitter taste in your mouth, throat burning, or the sensation of a lump in your throat,” says Dr.

Steering clear of acidic or spicy foods and drinks can help with keeping LPR in check—so can popping antacids, eating smaller, more frequent meals, and wearing loose-fitting clothes. Bacterial infections can arise from a cut—say, from teeth biting or rubbing on the tongue—that bacteria then use as an entry point.

Morrison, and if the infection is deep, it can cause an abscess that results in painful swelling. Occasionally, STDs, like syphilis and gonorrhea, can affect the tongue.

Viral infections of the tongue include herpes (the cold sore virus). “The first infection is the worst, and may be associated with multiple painful blisters inside the mouth, including the surface of the tongue, as well as fever and malaise,” says Dr.

HPV (human papillomavirus) and canker sores can also mess with your tongue. These usually clear up without treatment, but medical guidance should always be sought if you’re feeling particularly awful.

Shainhouse), there are specific signs to watch out for, including fatigue, unexplained weight gain, constipation, cold intolerance, hair thinning, and (surprise. ) tongue swelling.

“If confirmed, it’s treated by taking prescription medication to replace the thyroid hormone,” says Dr. Morrison.

The pituitary gland is an itty bitty organ that’s located at the base of the brain. It makes and ships a variety of different hormones to the rest of the body, and tells other glands when to do the same.

Morrison.

Usually caused by a benign tumor in the pituitary gland, other symptoms can include headaches, deepening of the voice, irregular periods, skin tags, and enlarged facial features.

Morrison. Tongue cancer starts off superficially, typically with a white or red patch, or a small lump or ulcer on the tongue.

Morrison, and is more common in people who smoke or drink alcohol. “If removed at this stage, it’s completely curable,” says Dr.

That’s why it’s so important to seek medical attention if you have persistent tongue soreness or a lump that won’t quit—a biopsy can determine if it’s cancerous so you can be treated right away. While some individuals with a swollen tongue may experience milder symptoms, if your symptoms are severe, you should see your doctor right away.

And if you have a history of severe allergies and notice tongue swelling and/or throat-tightening, get to your doctor or call 911, stat. Krissy is a regular contributor to Prevention, and she also writes for Cosmopolitan, Weight Watchers, Women’s Health, FitnessMagazine.com, Self.com, and Shape.com.

Shannen Zitz is an Assistant Editor at Prevention, where she covers all things lifestyle, wellness, beauty, and relationships. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Prevention, she graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor’s degree in English.

Tongue chewing involves placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth and chewing to strengthen the muscles of the jawline.

But does mewing really work.

In addition to tongue chewing, doing other facial exercises such as chin lifts and jaw clenching can also help to tone and define the jawline. Make sure you also keep up with a good posture – standing up straight and keeping your chin up can help to showcase your best angles.

Mike Mew mentions that while tongue chewing may feel uncomfortable or unnatural at first, it can be a valuable tool for those looking to improve their facial and dental health.

Facial attractiveness is often seen as a subjective and elusive concept. But there are certain universal traits that tend to be perceived as attractive across cultures and individuals.

In one of the YouTube videos by Dr. Mike Mew, a leading orthodontist, and expert in facial growth and development, he explains how your facial structure and posture can significantly impact your attractiveness and overall health.

According to Dr. Mew, features such as symmetry, clear skin, a healthy-looking smile, and proportional facial features are often seen as desirable and attractive.

Luckily, there are ways to enhance your facial aesthetics and well-being.

By addressing these issues, you can improve your facial symmetry and create a more pleasing profile. But that’s not all – developing good posture and healthy habits such as regular exercise and a balanced diet can also contribute to facial attractiveness.

Taking care of your facial structure and posture can not only improve your appearance but also boost your confidence and overall well-being. ‍.

Consult with an orthotropic specialist or use our mewing app to learn more about how you can enhance your facial aesthetics.

Both practices aim to improve facial aesthetics by changing the way we use our tongues and mouth. Tongue chewing is seen as a complementary exercise to strengthen the jaw and tongue muscles and support mewing.

It is important to note that tongue chewing should not be mistaken for the medical disorder of chewing one’s tongue, which can have negative impacts on health and facial aesthetics.

So, keep in mind the difference between mewing and tongue chewing, and practice them with caution to achieve optimal results. For those unfamiliar with proper tongue posture and how to practice mewing efficiently, head over to Dr.

Or, need a more efficient alternative to keep up with proper mewing techniques and practices to sharpen your jawline.

Get our Mewing App and receive DAILY proper tongue posture REMINDERS. ‍.

Mewing involves placing the tongue against the roof of the mouth, behind the upper teeth, and keeping the lips closed to facilitate nasal breathing.

By doing so, mewing aims to: ‍.

The concept of mewing was developed by British orthodontist John Mew, who is now in his 90s. Along with his son, fellow orthodontist Michael Mew, they promote a form of orthodontics known as “Orthotropics,” which emphasizes the importance of “jaw posture,” including the position of the tongue.

Over the past few years, mewing has gained a significant following on the internet, thanks to the numerous impressive mewing before and after photos and YouTube videos showcasing its benefits.

However, it’s worth noting that orthodontists have been recommending proper tongue posture for a while now: ‍.

What is mewing.

This information describes swallowing problems that can be caused by radiation therapy to your head and neck. It also describes how to prevent them.

Structures involved in swallowing. Many muscles and nerves work together to help you swallow (see Figure 1).

Your saliva makes the food soft and moist. Chewing your food breaks it down.

When you swallow, your tongue pushes the bolus to the back of your mouth. Then, a reflex takes over and the back of your tongue pushes the food into your esophagus (food pipe).

The bolus then moves down your esophagus and into your stomach. If the muscles in your mouth or throat are weak, food or liquid could stick in your esophagus or enter your airway or lungs.

When food or liquid enters your airway or lungs, it’s called aspiration. Aspiration can lead to complications such as pneumonia (an infection in one or both of your lungs) or respiratory infections (infections that affect your nose, throat, airways, or all 3).

It can also keep them from working as well as they did before you started radiation therapy. This can make it harder to eat and drink normally.

These symptoms usually start 1 to 2 weeks after you start radiation therapy. They may get worse during treatment.

Radiation therapy can also cause permanent tissue scarring. The effects of this scarring depend on the area that was treated.

Not everyone will have all these problems. Your treatment will be planned to lower the chance that these problems happen.

Other treatments can also affect swallowing. Surgery can affect parts of your mouth and throat, which could make swallowing harder.

This can make swallowing painful. Having trouble swallowing is called dysphagia (dis-FAY-jee-uh).

This team includes your doctors, nurses, a swallowing specialist, and a clinical dietitian nutritionist. You’ll see a swallowing specialist before, during, and after your treatment.

If it’s painful when you swallow, your healthcare team will give you pain medication to help. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the medication.

There are many different medications that can be used to help manage your pain. When you’re having trouble swallowing, food or liquid can pool in the back of your throat.

Signs of aspiration include: If any of these things happen, contact your swallowing specialist right away.

They can also help you practice swallowing exercises to help prevent more changes in your ability to swallow. Call your doctor or nurse right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

Trismus is when you can’t open your mouth as wide as usual. Trismus can happen anytime during, right after, or even years after your treatment.

You may also have problems: Once trismus develops, it’s very hard to treat.

Your swallowing specialist will teach you exercises to help prevent trismus. It is also important to keep good oral hygiene and good posture.

They’ll also help you keep your ability to swallow over time. Your swallowing specialist will tell you when to start doing them.

Do 10 repetitions of each exercise 3 times a day. If your swallowing specialist tells you to do them more or less often, follow their instructions instead.

Pretending you’re swallowing something big (such as a spoonful of peanut butter) can help you squeeze hard. To pause during the swallow, you can pretend you’re holding your breath in the middle of the swallow for 2 seconds before relaxing.

Sit or stand. Hold your head still while doing these exercises.

Open your mouth. Figure 3.

Figure 4. Move your jaw to the right.

Use your fingers to give extra resistance. If your swallowing specialist notices any changes in your ability to swallow, they may teach you other exercises or ways to help you keep swallowing during your treatment.

If you’re having pain or trouble swallowing: Your swallowing specialist, nurse, doctor, and clinical dietitian nutritionist will talk with you about what you should eat and drink during your treatment.

When you try new foods and liquids, make sure they have the textures your swallowing specialist recommends. Your healthcare team may also recommend that you drink nutritional supplements (such as Ensure®) to help you get more calories.

Read the resources Eating Well During Your Cancer Treatment and Eating Guide for Puréed Food and Mechanical Soft Food Diets for more dietary recommendations. Try the following suggestions if dry mouth or thick saliva is a problem for you:

You can reach a specialist Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Speech and Hearing Center is located in Memorial Hospital at: 1275 York Avenue (between East 67th and East 68th Streets) Bobst Building 4th Floor, Suite 7 New York, NY 10065.

Koch Building at: 530 East 74th Street 16th Floor, Suite 11 New York, NY 10021.

Some people will chew food and spit it out before swallowing, as a way to manage weight. But while the practice sounds like a way to have it all—and is sometimes pitched as a “dieting tip”—it can actually be a cause for concern, for a number of reasons.

The concept is to enjoy the flavor of something—usually rich, highly palatable foods—without taking on the calories. Yet, even if the behavior starts as an attempt to manage weight, it’s possible for this habit to become compulsive after time, potentially contributing to the development of other disordered eating patterns.

Some people may chew their food a specific number of times before spitting it out, which could be an expression of some of these conditions, especially certain anxiety disorders. Low self-esteem and negative body image may also play a role in maintaining this behavior.

Regardless of its potentially harmful implications, CHSP is sometimes advertised as a “dieting tip.” Some bloggers or influencers may promote the idea as a “way to have it all,” while the internet is filled with questions about how to start using CHSP. And that high visibility can have an impact.

Still, those who had tried CHSP also tended to score higher for psychological distress, which may implicate deeper concerns at play.

Some believe CHSP constitutes its own eating disorder, while others think it represents a symptom of other disordered eating conditions. At least when it comes to official recognition, chewing and spitting behavior isn’t technically a disorder.

Spitting and chewing was initially thought of as a form of purging, and was studied among people who struggle with bulimia nervosa. And an earlier version of the DSM listed CHSP as a symptom of a group of disordered eating patterns referred to as eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS).

Still, some experts argue that the behavior should be re-introduced to the official record. Eliminating it, they claim, could allow doctors to miss some of these behaviors and lead to prolonged difficulties for people who struggle with CHSP.

Many researchers maintain that chewing and spitting isn’t a disorder in itself, but rather a symptom of other eating disorders. One study found that nearly 25% of people with diagnosable eating disorders have used chewing and spitting as compensatory behavior.

Rather than designate CHSP as its own disorder, these professionals liken it to other common eating disorder symptoms, including: While experts aren’t quite sure how to define chewing and spitting behavior, they agree that the idea is a dangerous one.

But CHSP has also been tied to weight gain, likely due to overeating that occurs to make up for the behavior. People who partake in chewing and spitting are also at risk of stomach problems.

Chewing and spitting means releasing acid into an empty stomach, often leading to stomach ulcers or other complications. Wwollen salivary glands, tooth decay, cavities, and hormonal imbalances are also serious potential side-effects of CHSP.

These behaviors are often tied to or help uphold other mental health conditions or disordered eating patterns, which can be harmful for your mind and body, especially long-term. Seeking help for the condition can help address not just chewing and spitting behaviors, but any other underlying issues that may be going on.

If you or a loved one are struggling with chewing and spitting behaviors, you may have some questions about the condition or what to do. Many people participating in diet forums ask this question.

It’s more likely that insulin resistance could build up from skipping meals or eating one large meal a day—which may or may not happen in conjunction with spitting and chewing.

People who restrict their intake through CHSP may see some weight loss, especially in the short-term. But the behavior has also been tied to cycles of binging and purging or overeating, which could actually lead to weight gain.

The action may even result in weight loss at first. But CHSP has also been connected to weight gain, as it’s been linked to cycles of binging and purging, or instances of overeating.

It depends on the type of food you’re eating, how long it’s in your mouth, and how much of it you may swallow. If you regularly engage in chewing and spitting behaviors, it may be a sign of an eating disorder.

References. The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Image: iStock. It can be challenging for parents, especially new ones, to teach babies to chew food.

Because saliva contains enzymes that break down the starches in our diet, chewing is the first stage in the digestion process. Chewing aids in breaking down the food into smaller fragments and exercises and strengthens the jaw muscles.

Therefore, parents should start helping their babies develop their chewing abilities at a young age. Read on to learn when babies start chewing food, how to train them to chew, and how to detect any problems with their chewing skills.

The ability to chew correctly usually appears around the age of 12 months (1). The baby would gradually become adept at chewing by 18 months of age.

Thus, the improvement in chewing skills coincides with the eruption of both the primary first molars. You might likely have already seen your baby experiment with chewing with fingers or teethers around six months of age (3).

Around six to eight months, they start chewing soft solid foods. This is the phase when parents are advised to introduce new food items into the baby’s diet gradually.

Like any other milestone, a few babies may experience a delay in developing chewing skills, which is nothing to be worried about. Chewing is not an overnight process.

The following are the various factors that could influence a baby’s ability to chew. Image: Shutterstock.

However, food is mostly chewed by the lower and upper first molar teeth that emerge by 18 months of age. Until then, babies can learn basic chewing movements, which are further advanced by the time of eruption of teeth.

Babies have tiny mouths, which makes it difficult for us to notice their chewing pattern. Thus, it is likely you may have missed those subtle and almost-invisible chewing movements.

If you still find no chewing movements, you may want to give your baby some more time. Each baby is unique and could develop the skill at their own pace.

Babies attain the ability to chew in their toddlerhood. A toddler must go through their own learning curve to improve chewing.

If your toddler does not show any signs of chewing over a period of time, consult a pediatrician to determine any underlying cause, if any. Image: Shutterstock.

Nevertheless, parents can try out the following ways to help stimulate, exercise, and improve a baby’s or toddler’s chewing skills, especially when introducing solid foods through baby-led weaning. Babies who have experimented with chewing before may do well with chewing food.

Try giving your baby a teether and encourage its usage if they reject it initially. Pick soft rubber teethers free of flavors and parts that may break (10).

If your baby does not prefer teethers, you can use large pieces of food as natural alternatives. Carrots and celery make great natural teethers.

If your baby already has their teeth, especially the front incisors, avoid this method since it may cause the baby to swallow a piece of the vegetable accidentally. You can make your baby sit next to you while you eat.

Babies learn through observation and tend to mimic their parents. You can brush their teeth with a baby toothbrush and a small smear of children’s toothpaste.

Brushing a baby’s teeth helps desensitize the mouth to the gag reflex and keeps the teeth healthy. Serve your baby foods of different textures after they attain the age of eight months.

You can initially give them finger foods or crispy foods that soften when put into the mouth, such as puffed rice, graham crackers, and boiled vegetables. The extrusion and gag reflexes fade away by the age of six months.

You can observe the presence of these reflexes periodically so that you can serve relevant solid food items accordingly. Each new food item or meal is a new experience for a baby.

Instead, focus on feeding small portions of a food item to make the baby accept the food while also exercising their chewing skills, which can be beneficial for their overall infant feeding development. If your baby doesn’t like a particular food, do not give up.

Also, introduce one new food item at a time so that the baby can grow used to its taste and texture. Image: Shutterstock.

It can encourage the baby to pick food in their hands and chew it willingly. A baby with a self-driven interest in food might have an easier time learning to chew.

Therefore, offer food to the baby at fixed timings each day so that the little one is hungry when it is time to eat food. A hungry baby is more likely to display interest in chewing new food items.

The baby can chew the fruit and suck its juices. Since the fruit is inside a mesh bag, it wouldn’t fall out.

Once a baby becomes better at chewing, parents are introduced to a new set of challenges. Here are a few things to teach the baby while they improve their chewing skills.

Why do babies act like they are chewing gum.

It also promotes oral-motor development, which will be important for them to learn to eat solid foods later on. Additionally, some babies may use this reflex as a soothing mechanism to calm themselves.

Is a baby chewing on nothing a sign of autism.

A baby chewing with nothing in his mouth is normal as it could arise from instinctive behavior or an attempt to soothe himself under stress. There is no proven connection between tongue chewing and autism (13).

Is it normal for babies to chew on their tongues.

This is a normal phase of their development as they learn about their bodies and the sensation of different textures in their mouths. However, if a baby appears to be excessively chewing on their tongue or if it seems to be giving them distress, it is important to contact their pediatrician to rule out any underlying issues.

However, every child is different, and they need their own time to learn and adapt to new things and habits. Therefore, it is advised that you give your child time and have patience while they learn how to chew their food.

This is a trial and error process, and you will eventually be able to figure out what works best for your baby. Babies may be at an increased risk of choking on food when they have not fully developed chewing and swallowing skills.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team. Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.

Unlock the secrets in this user-friendly video, showcasing easy techniques to transform mealtime into an enjoyable experience for both you and your little one. i.

Tongue thrusting might sound like a cool ninja move, but it’s actually something many of our patients do without even realizing it. It occurs when the tongue pushes against your teeth when you swallow, talk, or rest.

The encouraging news.

Let’s dive into the tongue thrust topic and uncover how the magic of braces and other orthodontic tools can tackle this dental issue head-on.

It might sound inoffensive, but we must not forget how strong our tongue muscles are. If it keeps pushing against our teeth repeatedly, it can make them shift or become misaligned.

Kids often present the tongue thrust habit, but many grow out of it. However, if they don’t, it will lead to orthodontic problems down the line.

It’s essential to be aware of this subconscious habit—addressing it early will save a lot of dental trouble in the future.

It’s Mother Nature’s way of ensuring babies don’t choke when feeding. When drinking milk from a bottle or breastfeeding, this reflex helps them push milk to the back of their mouth to swallow.

This natural reflex should fade away as toddlers start eating solid foods. Any persistence of this habit calls for specialized care.

For grown-ups, tongue thrust is more of a habit where the tongue pushes against the front teeth, especially when swallowing, speaking, or resting. The constant pressure from the tongue may cause dental misalignment if unchecked.

Additionally, tongue-thrusting habits lead to speech impediments, making it tricky for others to understand your utterances. Between 5% and 15% of older children and adults require tongue thrust therapy.

Anxiety causes us to develop different habits without even realizing it. Think about biting one’s nails, tapping your feet, or playing with your hair when stressed out.

While anxiety doesn’t directly cause tongue thrust, the habits you pick up when anxious point toward this habit. For instance, tongue thrust is more likely to occur if you exhibit these behaviors when stressed:

Every tongue thrusting diagnosis follows a set of customary steps: Your speech therapist will teach you exercises and techniques toward training your tongue to sit and move correctly.

Myofunctional therapy is a series of exercises focusing on the tongue and facial muscles. These exercises improve the strength and movement of the tongue.

Your orthodontist also plays a solid role in your treatment process. If your teeth have shifted because of tongue thrust, braces and other dental appliances will help get those teeth back in line.

A tongue crib is a particular orthodontic appliance made of metal wires that fit behind your top front teeth. These wires form a barrier that prevents the tongue from pushing against the teeth and the roof of the mouth.

“Do tongue cribs hurt. ” “Are they uncomfortable.

But after a while, you’ll get used to it. While braces and invisible retainers might aid your treatment, they’re not a magic cure-all for tongue thrusting.

Orthodontic appliances can be part of the solution, especially if the teeth need straightening. However, most patients with tongue thrust mainly benefit from treatment avenues such as speech therapy or myofunctional therapy.

First off, our mouths are a carefully balanced ecosystem. Everything’s arranged just so, from our teeth to our jaws.

While there’s nothing wrong with crooked teeth, if you aim for that straight-teeth look, tongue thrusting will set you back. Incorrect tongue positioning will also mess with your jaw alignments, setting you up for an overbite or an underbite.

Our tongue plays a starring role when we talk, helping us pronounce words and sounds correctly. If it’s constantly thrusting forward, it can mess with our speech patterns.

For kids, especially, it can lead to teasing or feeling self-conscious. Finally, there’s the swallowing aspect.

This sequence can get jumbled up when you have a tongue thrusting habit. This might not sound like a big deal, but it can lead to eating and even digestion issues over time.

Contact Patuxent Orthodontics if orthodontic care is the solution to your dental woes. Whether you want to learn more about the benefits of orthodontic care or have questions about the process, use our live chat or call (240) 802-7217 or message us through our Contact Us page to connect with our friendly staff today and book a complimentary consultation.

Our office, located at 44220 Airport View Dr., Hollywood, MD 20636, proudly serves Maryland’s Patuxent area, as well as the Greater Washington DC area. So, if you’re residing in Hollywood, Wildewood, or Leonardtown and are looking for one of the best orthodontists in Maryland, don’t hesitate to visit our office.

We also invite you to keep up with our blog to get answers to many of the frequently asked questions about maintaining your perfect smile, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to become a part of our smiling community.

Listen to this article:.

As a first-time parent, you need to make sure that your baby doesn’t turn their mouth away when they see you moving in their direction with a spoon. Next, you also need to make sure that any food that goes in doesn’t immediately go out because your baby has decided to spit it out.

As you can imagine, all this process can be quite frustrating for parents, so we put together a comprehensive guide that will help you teach your baby to chew quickly and easily.

Usually for the first few months, a baby should be breast or bottle fed exclusively.

Not all babies are ready to learn how to chew and swallow at the same age, some pick it up quickly, whereas it takes others longer to adapt to eating solids.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you should not attempt to teach your baby to chew before they are six months and are showing signs of readiness. Even if babies are trying to reach for food before that age, it doesn’t mean that they are actually ready for solids.

The good news is that there are some signs you can look out for in order to make sure that your baby is ready to embark on the journey of eating solid foods.

It’s always a good idea to consult with your pediatrician before transitioning your baby to solids. Don’t forget that some babies are more interested in eating than others, so there’s no need to rush the process.

It’s important to remember that teaching your baby how to chew is not an overnight process. This is because chewing is a progressive skill, which means that the baby needs to develop other skills first in order to master it.

Here are some factors that could affect a baby’s ability to chew: Babies develop the ability to chew and swallow solid food after the age of six months.

Moreover, their digestive system may not yet be ready for solid food even if the baby is sitting up at four months. The extrusion reflex is something all babies are born with.

This reflex typically takes 4 to 6 months to disappear, but it may also take longer for some babies. If you notice that your baby still pushes forward with their tongue even if they are six months old, this is a clear sign that they aren’t ready to swallow.

This reflex is similar to the extrusion one, but it’s designed to protect the baby from choking on solids. The baby will expel food or any other foreign object to the front of their mouth whenever a piece of solid food gets close to the back of their tongue.

Even though it may look like a very simple process to an adult, chewing is actually a lot of work. The baby needs to learn how to move the food around to break it down and how to use their tongue from side to side before swallowing.

In order for the baby to master the skill of chewing, they need time to practice the initial movements. Even though teething is essential for chewing because that’s the only way to break down and find food into smaller pieces, babies should be acquainted with the basics of chewing by the time they develop teeth.

To do that, babies can chew pureed food and soft food even if they don’t yet have teeth. The lower and upper first molar teeth are essential for chewing most types of food, and those emerged by the time your baby is 18 months old.

Parents can choose from various approaches when it comes to introducing solids. Still, one thing that most pediatricians agree on is that the baby should be offered a variety of textures and tastes.

For most babies, new textures can be confusing, but fortunately, there are multiple ways to help them make the transition to solid foods. Most parents think about the teething toys only in relation to sore gums, but these toys are actually great for helping babies adjust to the smooth and rough textures they may eventually find in food.

Babies can safely put teething toys in their mouths as early as three or four months. It’s always a good idea to offer them regularly before introducing solid foods so the baby can practice and build strength in preparation for the real thing.

If you notice that your baby is struggling to chew when you try to introduce solid food into their diet, you should make sure you are allowing them to work with teethers regularly. Offering your baby foods of different flavors and textures is a great way to spark their interest, and make the transition from breast milk to solids easier.

The next step in the baby’s transition to solid foods should consists of mashed food such as a banana or cooked vegetables. This will offer the baby an opportunity to use their chewing skills and also make use of their jaw muscles.

For example, you may try frozen mixed vegetables that you cook until soft.

These finger foods are also an excellent choice for eating out or traveling or anytime the baby could do with a snack.

It’s essential to avoid getting annoyed if your baby doesn’t make much progress quickly. Being patient is key here, so if you notice that your baby doesn’t like a specific food, don’t just write it off.

It’s always a good idea to introduce new food items one other time in order for the baby to get used to a specific taste and texture before progressing to the next one. Many babies love mimicking parents while eating, so you should allow them to sit next to you during breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

This is especially important for babies who don’t seem to have a particular interest in food. Try to offer the baby food at fixed times and make sure that they are hungry when introducing new foods.

Once you notice that your baby has become better at chewing and swallowing, it’s important to help them improve their skills. Here are some tips for doing that effortlessly.

Every baby is unique, so if you notice that they have some problem showing for the first time or they’re struggling with certain foods, you should always give them more time. Practice with various foods to see what works best for your baby’s first solid foods, and remember to keep them away from very hard pieces of food before they learn how to chew and swallow properly.

The content and advice provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment, advice for specific medical conditions. Always consult a pediatrician to understand the individual needs of your child.

Swallowing disorders cause a variety of symptoms that include:. While the above symptoms often happen during or after swallowing, some signs of dysphagia can appear independently of eating, drinking or swallowing.

There are many reasons why swallowing may become difficult.

Normally, coordinated muscle contractions in the esophagus move the swallowed food toward the stomach in one direction. At the top and bottom ends of the esophagus are rings of muscles called sphincters that allow the food to enter and exit the esophagus.

If the muscles stop working together or if one of them stops working at all, food can fail to pass into the stomach. This can happen due to issues with the muscles or the nerves that supply the muscles.

Problems with mobility in the esophagus include: There are also other types of motility problems in the esophagus, such as the lower esophageal sphincter being too tight or too loose.

The esophagus is a mostly straight, tube-like structure. If it becomes narrowed or develops pockets, this can lead to swallowing problems.

But more often, structural changes develop over time. They include:

A person experiencing nasal regurgitation is likely to have some form of neurologic disease, and coughing during swallowing is another sign that the dysphagia could be due to a nerve problem. In some cases, if you have these symptoms, your doctor will want to evaluate you to rule out systemic (all-over) nerve disease.

Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can also affect nerve function related to swallowing. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic condition that can cause swallowing difficulties in infants, children and adults.

An allergic reaction to a food or other environmental factor can trigger inflammation of the esophagus. Over time, the esophagus may tighten and develop abscesses or constricting rings of tissue that can become blocked by swallowed food (impaction), which can cause a medical emergency.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) causes your immune system to attack tissues in the central nervous system (CNS), which can affect a number of processes in the body. MS attacks cause lesions to form in your nervous system, and the symptoms you experience are based, in part, on where those lesions develop.

Some people with MS experience involuntarily biting their tongue. One MyMSTeam member said, “For the past six months on and off, I’ve been biting my tongue, mainly on the right side or inside of my cheek.

“I thought I was alone. Seriously.

” wrote another member when learning others with MS experienced inadvertent tongue-biting. “I never talk about this to anyone.

It’s an MS monster. I’m so glad I’m not alone.”.

The following can help you evaluate the causes and solutions to tongue-biting with MS. If people with MS bite their tongues more than usual, it often has to do with the way MS lesions affect the brain and CNS.

This causes nerve damage, referred to as plaques or lesions.

Following are some of the specific symptoms of MS that may cause people with MS to bite their tongues — or other parts of their mouths — more frequently.

Some people with MS struggle to swallow anything at all, while others have problems only under certain circumstances. Since the tongue is key to the swallowing process, dysphagia often involves weakness or motor control issues in the tongue.

One member described this symptom, writing, “It’s like my tongue has a different idea of what to do.” Another member associated problems swallowing with biting their mouth, adding, “I started biting my tongue and cheek and was wondering if it was due to MS. I have trouble swallowing too, so I just figured this was part of the MS.”.

If you have any trouble swallowing along with biting your mouth or tongue, talk to your doctor right away to get medical advice that might help you manage the symptoms of dysphagia.

Dysarthria refers to motor problems that cause issues with your speech, and it can occur in people diagnosed with MS. Since the tongue is a key to speaking, motor problems that lead to dysarthria could also cause you to bite your tongue regularly.

If MS has caused damage to your mouth or tongue, you may also experience specific speech problems. These include:

One member said, “The big problem is I feel numb on the inside of my mouth on the left side only.” Another added, “The left side of my face is droopy and numb.”. Oral and facial numbness increase your likelihood of biting your tongue, especially if you don’t notice the numbness or if your face is not entirely numb.

People living with MS can have problems with tongue biting that aren’t connected to their MS. Talk to your doctor to rule out other possible causes of tongue biting, including:

“The dentist wants me to have oral surgery to get a biopsy of the now-hardened area to check for oral cancer.”. You should always approach your doctor when you develop new or suspected symptoms.

They can also help you come up with a plan to control any symptoms you might be experiencing.

Not all of these will work for everyone, but you find one or more will help.

Staying mindful of the way your mouth is moving may help you avoid injuring yourself with your teeth.

Some MyMSTeam members swear by these tips. “Slow eating and not TALKING when eating, which for me is difficult, helps a lot,” one shared.

Yogurt, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, and smoothies (to name a few).”. Although you may enjoy meal-time conversations, avoiding them may help you feel better in the long run.

Some people find that adjusting their posture makes a big difference. Sitting and standing up straight may help you engage the muscles you need to use in order to avoid biting your tongue.

You can strengthen the muscles of your mouth, tongue, and throat the same way you can strengthen any other muscles. Physical therapists know how to help you do this.

You will likely be given swallowing strengthening exercises, which you can do at home and which will keep those muscles in good shape.

“Try to see a speech therapist,” one member advised. “They will check the strength of your throat and swallow muscles.

Together with your neurologist, you can figure out which of these treatment options you want to try first and then evaluate how effective the treatment is for you.

Here, more than 193,000 members have found a place where they can safely share about the condition and meet others who live with it every day. Do you bite your tongue regularly.

You can talk about your experiences with these issues and ask any questions you might have on MyMSTeam.

Ever feel like your tongue is blowing up like a balloon inside your mouth. Does it feel like you’re talking funny.

A swollen tongue can result from all sorts of things, inside and out. So let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of a swollen tongue, as well as some simple tips and tricks for reducing the swelling and enhancing your comfort.

It happens when white blood cells hang around an area to prevent further damage. A swollen tongue can feel and look different depending on the cause, but it often looks something like this:

However, a swollen tongue can block airways and cause difficulty breathing in severe circumstances. This is often indicative of a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.

If you ever have trouble breathing or experience any of these symptoms, contact emergency medical assistance right away. There are many different reasons that your tongue might start swelling up.

Probably the most common cause of a swollen tongue is an allergic reaction. Loads of people might take a bite out of mango or eat some peanut m&ms and then experience some swelling in their mouths.

Your immune system is like a defensive shield inside your body that protects it from foreign invaders. And while it’s perfect when it’s helping you avoid bacterial infections or the common cold, it can be frustrating when it makes you sneeze and wheeze because of something as simple as pollen or dust particles.

These react with proteins found in certain substances, leading to an allergic reaction. The more IgE in your bloodstream, the more intense the reaction might be.

Histamines are responsible for many symptoms that you’d associate with allergies, such as runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, and even a swollen tongue. The reason for this is that the swelling is the body’s way of physically blocking other substances from being able to enter.

The swelling generally goes away once you remove yourself from the allergy trigger in minor cases. However, you might need to try using some antihistamine medications to block its effects.

Angioedema is a vowel-filled word that refers to swelling underneath the skin. An allergic reaction often causes this, and it is always best to consult your healthcare provider for advice.

While allergies can cause it, this type of swelling tends to occur after taking certain medications. However, it can even occur due to a genetic condition called hereditary angiodema.

Some people even get angioedema without a clear cause. This is known as idiopathic angioedema.

The thyroid is a gland located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple. Its purpose in the body is to control metabolism.

This can cause the metabolism to slow. Also known as underactive thyroid disease, this is a fairly common condition that can have full-body effects.

However, Hashimoto’s disease is perhaps the most common cause. This is an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid to produce fewer hormones.

It’s a manageable disease that usually requires medication to replace the hormone that is no longer being created naturally. However, it is often chronic and will require medication throughout life.

Salivary stones, also called sialolithiasis, are mineral deposits that have hardened in the salivary glands. They are most likely to affect people between ages 30 and 60, and they’re more common in men.

These deposits can cause pain or swelling in the salivary glands, which can make it appear as if the tongue itself is swollen. Symptoms might come and go over a few weeks.

You can remove most stones by applying heat and gentle massages to the salivary glands. Staying well-hydrated can also play an essential role in preventing damage.

Gingivitis is a common condition, and it’s pretty much just a fancy term for gum disease. Gingivitis is typically the result of poor oral hygiene.

Symptoms of gingivitis typically present as swollen or puffy gums, bad breath, bleeding when you brush or floss, receding gums, or tender gums. However, gingivitis associated with vitamin deficiency can sometimes lead to inflammation of the tongue.

An ACE inhibitor is short for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. An ACE inhibitor is commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure and other heart problems.

Common side effects of ACE inhibitors include fatigue, dry cough, increased potassium levels in the blood, blood pressure dropping, loss of taste, and headaches. However, in rare cases, these medications can cause the tongue and throat to swell, which can affect breathing.

Sjogren’s syndrome is a disorder of the immune system that is typically characterized by dry eyes and a dry mouth. With this disorder, the immune system attacks its own healthy cells that produce saliva and tears.

A common symptom is swelling in the salivary glands behind the jaw and in front of the ears. While this doesn’t necessarily affect the tongue, it might make you feel like your tongue is swollen if there is swelling in your glands.

Thrush appears in the mouth or on the tongue as white, raised lesions. It is often accompanied by mouth pain and redness.

And while it can affect anyone, it is most common in children or older adults with weakened immune systems. Your big ol’ tongue might not have anything to do with a disease or a condition in the slightest – it might just be a little bit irritated.

A healthcare provider can do an oral exam to diagnose and evaluate a swollen tongue. In many cases, it’s immediately visible, but in minor cases, a professional might check for papillae, which are fingerlike projections that can be found on the surface of the tongue.

This will help them determine the underlying cause. If there’s not an obvious cause for the symptoms, they might order blood tests to see if there are any other signs that might cause a swollen tongue as mentioned above.

But let’s take a look at some of the most effective methods for some of the more common causes. As we discussed a bit earlier, antihistamines are your number one defense against allergy triggers.

But antihistamines do a lot more than just reducing swelling on your tongue. They can also help stop itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, cough, sneezing, and all those other nasty symptoms.

Body piercing is a popular form of self-expression. Oral piercings or tongue splitting may look cool, but they can be dangerous to your health.

For instance, your mouth and tongue could swell so much that you close off your airway or you could choke if part of the jewelry breaks off in your mouth. In some cases, you could crack a tooth if you bite down too hard on the piercing, and repeated clicking of the jewelry against teeth can also cause damage.

Of course, the best option is to consider removing mouth jewelry before it causes a problem. Don’t pierce on a whim.

Talk to your dentist for more information. If you’ve decided to get an oral piercing, make sure you’re up to date on vaccines for hepatitis B and tetanus.

Look for a piercer who has a license, which means they were specially trained. The piercer should wash their hands with germ-killing soap, wear fresh disposable gloves, and use sterilized tools or ones that are thrown away after one use.

Healing usually takes 3 to 4 weeks. During that time, you should:

If you get a tongue piercing, the piercer will start with a larger “barbell” to give your tongue room to heal as it swells. After the swelling goes down, dentists recommend that you replace the large barbell with a smaller one that’s less likely to bother your teeth.

You might want to take it out before you go to sleep or do anything active.

Babies experience many learning moments when starting solids and keep learning as they grow into toddlerhood. A common learning curve happens around food stuffing and pocketing—when babies pack in too much food or keep the food in their cheeks.

So, why do babies food stuff or pocket, and what can you do about it. Read on for some tips to keep baby safe and how to respond when baby stuffs too much food in their mouths or pockets food in their cheeks.

Have a toddler. Be sure to check out our Toddlers at the Table set of guides and videos.

Food stuffing is when a baby or child puts too much food in their mouth, interfering with their ability to successfully chew and swallow. Pocketing food or food packing is when a child holds food in their mouth for an extended amount of time without swallowing.

Inside either cheek. In the very front of their mouth.

Babies overstuff their mouth for a variety of reasons: They are still learning how much food is too much.

They just don’t know how to take it slow..yet. Food stuffing is common in infancy and even in toddlerhood.

Food stuffing seems to be a phase most babies go through, and there’s good reason for it. Baby is learning where everything is inside their mouth.

This helps create what’s known as a “map” of the mouth. Mapping the mouth provides sensory awareness, takes years to hone, and is incredibly important to safely chew and swallow all food textures.

This helps baby relate each of these areas to one another. The bigger, firmer, and more flavorful the piece of food, the more input it gives baby.

Yes, it can be scary and risky, but it has a purpose. There are two elements to consider when baby stuffs their mouth with too much food: helping in the moment and helping long-term.

Take a deep breath and be patient. You don’t want to scare your baby and, while it may feel like an emergency, it is not.

Calmly tell them, “That’s a little too much in your mouth, let’s spit some out.”. Coach to spit.

In an exaggerated manner, spit out a small bit of your own food with your tongue, and hold your hand in front of your baby’s mouth, ready to catch their food. Clear the food from the tray.

Use gravity if needed. Lean your baby forward gently so gravity can help them spit out the food.

Do not finger sweep or try to remove the food. Let your baby work it out.

Julian, 10 months, shoves a whole kiwi half into his mouth. With all things feeding, you want to keep the long game in mind.

Eat with your baby. Babies love to watch and learn.

They will watch and learn from you.

Every time you see your baby starting to over-stuff, tell them: “That looks like a lot of food in your mouth. Finish that bite first.” Or: “Slow down.

Let them investigate. Once your baby spits out the wad of food, don’t take it away.

You can point to the mass of food and say: “See, that was too much. Take a smaller bite.”.

Around 9-12 months old, your baby is likely chewing better and knows how to spit out food, if needed. Start coaching them to take bites off larger pieces of foods.

As always, show them how it’s done. If your baby needs support, hold softer foods at the front of their mouth for front teeth to bite through, or teach them to use their molars with more resistive foods, like meat, where they will learn to bite, hold, and pull.

However, we don’t recommend this since there are some benefits to over-stuffing and it’s not a long-term solution. Regardless, your baby will likely go through a phase of over-stuffing once you stop limiting the amount of food on the tray.

The most common reason is simply lacking the sensory awareness and/or tongue coordination to fully chew and swallow certain foods. Instead, they chew or suck on the food, and pocket it.

Other babies are purposeful in their pocketing — holding the food in the same spot every time because they don’t feel confident about safely swallowing. Just like food stuffing, food pocketing is often normal in 6-12-month-old babies as they map and learn the boundaries and spaces of their mouth.

It’s very possible to see pocketing beyond 12 months, particularly with challenging-to-chew textures. Well, sort of.

Over-stuffing the mouth may look more dangerous and scarier to a parent because you can see it. Pocketing can seem less dangerous, possibly because it’s not as obvious and easy to miss.

The longer the food sits in baby’s mouth, the more likely your baby or child will have moved on to something else, potentially unsupervised, and forget all about the food, which is a serious choking risk. Pocketing also carries a significant risk for tooth decay and cavities as food sits for an extended time against your child’s teeth.

Watch your baby closely. If, after a minute or so of chewing, they have not swallowed, remind your baby to swallow the food.

Coach your baby. If demonstrating swallowing doesn’t work, tell your baby, “You can spit that out,” and exaggeratedly show how it’s done.

Offer a drink. If coaching doesn’t work, offer a small sip of water, breastmilk, or formula to drink.

Ideally, offer an open cup rather than a straw cup. An open cup lets liquid enter your child’s mouth right at the front to clear all areas.

Carefully remove the food. As a last resort, if the above steps do not work, you will need to help your baby get the food out of their mouth.

However, leaving food to sit in your baby’s mouth after a meal also increases the risk of choking. You can clear the food with your finger or with a toothbrush.

Carefully go into your baby’s mouth along the side (the inner cheek), not in the center of their mouth, and sweep the food out. Build awareness.

This comes with lots of practice eating both easy and challenging-to-chew foods. Long, unbreakable stick-shaped foods are ideal for this: 1) Beef or pork ribs with most of the meat cut off and all gristly or loose bits removed.

3) Corn on the cob with most of the kernels cut off. All of these are extremely difficult, if not impossible for a baby or.

The tongue is a muscular organ in the mouth of a typical tetrapod. It manipulates food for chewing and swallowing as part of the digestive process, and is the primary organ of taste.

It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva and is richly supplied with nerves and blood vessels. The tongue also serves as a natural means of cleaning the teeth.

The human tongue is divided into two parts, an oral part at the front and a pharyngeal part at the back. The left and right sides are also separated along most of its length by a vertical section of fibrous tissue (the lingual septum) that results in a groove, the median sulcus, on the tongue’s surface.

There are two groups of muscles of the tongue. The four intrinsic muscles alter the shape of the tongue and are not attached to bone.

The word tongue derives from the Old English tunge, which comes from Proto-Germanic *tungōn. It has cognates in other Germanic languages—for example tonge in West Frisian, tong in Dutch and Afrikaans, Zunge in German, tunge in Danish and Norwegian, and tunga in Icelandic, Faroese and Swedish.

Some used the spelling tunge and tonge as late as the sixteenth century.

The left and right sides of the tongue are separated by a vertical section of fibrous tissue known as the lingual septum. This division is along the length of the tongue save for the very back of the pharyngeal part and is visible as a groove called the median sulcus.

The apex of the terminal sulcus is marked by a blind foramen, the foramen cecum, which is a remnant of the median thyroid diverticulum in early embryonic development. The anterior oral part is the visible part situated at the front and makes up roughly two-thirds the length of the tongue.

These parts differ in terms of their embryological development and nerve supply.

It is directed forward against the lingual surfaces of the lower incisor teeth.

The average length of the human tongue from the oropharynx to the tip is 10 cm. The average weight of the human tongue from adult males is 99g and for adult females 79g.

In phonetics and phonology, a distinction is made between the tip of the tongue and the blade (the portion just behind the tip). Sounds made with the tongue tip are said to be apical, while those made with the tongue blade are said to be laminal.

The upper surface of the tongue is called the dorsum, and is divided by a groove into symmetrical halves by the median sulcus. The foramen cecum marks the end of this division (at about 2.5 cm from the root of the tongue) and the beginning of the terminal sulcus.

The terminal sulcus is a shallow groove that runs forward as a shallow groove in a V shape from the foramen cecum, forwards and outwards to the margins (borders) of the tongue. The terminal sulcus divides the tongue into a posterior pharyngeal part and an anterior oral part.

Both parts of the tongue develop from different pharyngeal arches.

On either side of the frenulum are small prominences called sublingual caruncles that the major salivary submandibular glands drain into.

The four intrinsic muscles act to change the shape of the tongue, and are not attached to any bone. The four extrinsic muscles act to change the position of the tongue, and are anchored to bone.

The four extrinsic muscles originate from bone and extend to the tongue. They are the genioglossus, the hyoglossus (often including the chondroglossus) the styloglossus, and the palatoglossus.

The genioglossus arises from the mandible and protrudes the tongue. It is also known as the tongue’s “safety muscle” since it is the only muscle that propels the tongue forward.

The hyoglossus, arises from the hyoid bone and retracts and depresses the tongue. The chondroglossus is often included with this muscle.

The styloglossus arises from the styloid process of the temporal bone and draws the sides of the tongue up to create a trough for swallowing.

Four paired intrinsic muscles of the tongue originate and insert within the tongue, running along its length. They are the superior longitudinal muscle, the inferior longitudinal muscle, the vertical muscle, and the transverse muscle.

This provides shape and helps facilitate speech, swallowing, and eating.

It originates near the epiglottis, at the hyoid bone, from the median fibrous septum.

It functions to shorten and curl the tongue downward.

It functions to flatten the tongue.

It functions to lengthen and narrow the tongue.

The lingual veins drain into the internal jugular vein. The floor of the mouth also receives its blood supply from the lingual artery.

An area in the neck sometimes called the Pirogov triangle is formed by the intermediate tendon of the digastric muscle, the posterior border of the mylohyoid muscle, and the hypoglossal nerve. The lingual artery is a good place to stop severe hemorrhage from the tongue.

Innervation of the tongue consists of motor fibers, special sensory fibers for taste, and general sensory fibers for sensation.

The tip of tongue drains to the submental nodes. The left and right halves of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue drains to submandibular lymph nodes, while the posterior one-third of the tongue drains to the jugulo-omohyoid nodes.

The upper surface of the tongue is covered in masticatory mucosa, a type of oral mucosa which is of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Embedded in this are numerous papillae, some of which house the taste buds and their taste receptors.

The tongue can divide itself in dorsal and ventral surface. The dorsal surface is a stratified squamous keratinized epithelium which is characterized by numerous mucosal projections called papillae.

The ventral surface is stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium which is smooth.

In the fifth week a pair of lateral lingual swellings, one on the right side and one on the left, form on the first pharyngeal arch. These lingual swellings quickly expand and cover the median tongue bud.

Improper positioning of the tongue can shift the teeth, leading to misaligned teeth and bite issues such as. ‍.

Teeth grinding leads to quicker wear and tear of your teeth. Because of how your tongue helps your overall facial appearance, a bad tongue posture can cause:

These can alter the shape of your face, and make you more conscious of your facial appearance. If you have a bad tongue posture that is already affecting your dental health, overall health, or facial appearance, all hope is not lost.

Fortunately, there are some proven ways to fix bad tongue positioning.

Mewing can help fix issues associated with bad tongue posture and improve your facial appearance. However, it can be difficult to mew if you don’t know how, or keep forgetting to place your tongue in the right position.

Our Mewing App contains tons of proven techniques and how-to guides to help you mew effectively. It also keeps you consistent by reminding you to mew throughout the day.

Specific exercises can help train the tongue and help it rest in the correct position. You can try:

A frenectomy is a surgical procedure to treat tongue-tie or lip-tie. The procedure involves cutting the frenum — a connective tissue that joins two parts.

If a tight frenulum is limiting your tongue’s range of motion, making it difficult to achieve the correct tongue posture, a frenectomy can help create more space. Orthodontic treatment options such as ALF (Advanced Lightwire Functionals) Appliance, palate expander, or braces can help create more room in the mouth for the tongue to rest correctly.

You may have heard that one of the signs of readiness for solid food is the disappearance of the tongue thrust. This claim, however, is not supported by research and it is our professional opinion that the thrust can be helpful when starting solids.

Check out our guides & videos. The tongue thrust, or extrusion reflex, is a reflex present at birth that persists until 4 to 7 months of age in typically developing babies.

A strong tongue thrust reflex causes the tongue to extend past the gums and lips. a tongue tie may cause some restriction.

This reflex helps baby latch at the breast or on a bottle nipple and causes baby’s tongue to extend or stick out of the mouth before it pulls the breast or bottle into the mouth. Like the tongue thrust reflex, the root reflex is present until 4 to 6 months of age.

Charlie, one month old. Charlie, one month old.

there is almost no research examining the function of the tongue thrust. Most documentation is clinical opinion based on observations of dentists, lactation consultants, feeding therapists, and pediatricians.

Swiftly pushing items out of the mouth. Keeping the airway clear.

Newborns and young infants have immature oral motor skills, poor head and neck control, and often lie on their backs or in a reclined position with gravity moving things towards their throat. Additionally, babies lack the fine motor skills needed to pull items out of the mouth.

The tongue thrust reflex appears to protect infants with reflexive skills enabling them to push things back out of the mouth when necessary. As the reflex fades and babies learn more coordinated tongue and finger movements, they can spit things out of their mouth as needed.

To latch, the baby’s head needs to turn towards the breast or bottle, the mouth needs to open wide, the tongue needs to drop in the mouth and gently extend over the lower gum ridge, and then it needs to cup or make a “U” shape around the nipple. This constellation of movements is the root reflex.

In fact, the tongue thrust can immediately push an item back out of the baby’s mouth after a latch is established, which can be problematic for breast or bottle feeding. Riley, 6 months, thrusts a too-big bite of banana out of her mouth.

Logically, this reflex would be a nuisance while spoon-feeding pureed food into a baby’s mouth. As the spoon touches the tongue tip, the tongue protrudes out, pushing all the puree out of the mouth.

Some spoon-fed babies learn to push the tongue on the spoon and suck the puree off, which is the same pattern used with a bottle. Additionally, there is a misconception that a baby is not ready to swallow food until the thrust disappears, but that recommendation is not rooted in evidence.

Babies do not have to learn how to swallow. As with many suggestions in infant feeding, there is no clear rationale for the recommendation to wait for solids until the tongue thrust disappears.

In fact, there is a critical window between 6 to 9 months of age where you must take a leap and give baby something chewable to eat so they learn to chew. Babies who only eat purees during this critical window are at heightened risk for poor chewing and picky eating as children.

In the weeks leading up to starting solids, baby develops important gross and fine motor skills to support learning to eat. however, there is little to no shift in baby’s oral motor patterns to make them suddenly more coordinated with chewing.

When starting finger foods, baby learns a new set of movement patterns and gains efficiency and coordination to chew and swallow solids safely. As the tongue thrust reflex integrates (usually between 4 to 7 months), babies don’t automatically know other oral motor patterns.

There are three dominant reflexes in play when baby starts solids: Tongue thrust reflex.

Gag reflex. These reflexes help babies learn new movement patterns necessary to eat while staying safe.

These reflexes also help the brain build a “mental map” of the mouth, allowing babies to gain more control, and figure out how to move, chew, and swallow food appropriately and confidently. Tongue thrust.

When a baby holds food while touching the lips and front of the tongue, the tongue automatically sticks out and explores the food by licking it. When babies put food in their mouth, they often override the tongue thrust by controlling the action of putting food in their mouth and by placing longer/bigger pieces of food towards the side of the mouth, triggering the tongue lateralization reflex.

Tongue lateralization reflex. Babies are born with the tongue lateralization reflex, which is present until about 9 months of age.

This reflex causes the tongue to move sideways towards the stimulus in the mouth to touch, lick, and explore whatever touches the tongue. Maeve, 4 months, teethes on an infant toothbrush.

That’s tongue lateralization but, for you, it’s not a reflex anymore—it’s an established motor pattern your brain uses to move and chew food. Self-feeding stick-shaped pieces of food engages tongue lateralization and helps baby learn the building blocks of moving food in the mouth.

Gag reflex. Another layer of protection is the gag reflex, which also helps keep food towards the front of the mouth.

In fact, there are distinct benefits to starting finger foods when baby still has the tongue thrust reflex. Be mindful that if you plan to start by spoon-feeding purees, most of the food will end up on baby’s chin with a tongue thrust reflex in place.

it just means they don’t have the skill to move past the tongue thrust just yet. Additionally, if you offer exclusive purees for more than a few weeks, it’s likely the tongue thrust reflex will diminish before offering finger foods.

To recap: The tongue thrust reflex is beneficial for oral motor development and learning to eat finger foods.

Pushes food (and objects) out of the mouth. Keeps the airway clear.

Exploring solid foods with the mouth is critical to build a mental map of the mouth. As things touch the inside of the mouth, the brain slowly “draws” a map.

When babies start solids with a tongue thrust reflex in place, they learn how to override the dominant tongue thrust pattern and move the tongue in new directions using the tongue lateralization reflex. Self-feeding stick-shaped pieces of food engages tongue lateralization and helps baby learn the building blocks of moving food in the mouth.

Here’s something fun you can tell people at parties: the tongue isn’t a single muscle—it’s a muscular hydrostat. What’s a muscular hydrostat, you ask.

If you need a non-tongue example, think elephant trunks and octopus tentacles. Octopuses, slugs, and the roundworm C.

Cool, right.

They’re also the key to our sense of gustation (that is, taste). So let’s talk about the structure and functions of humans’ weird and wonderful muscular hydrostat.

Image from Visible Body Suite. The root of the tongue is connected to the hyoid bone via the hyoglossus and genioglossus muscles as well as the hyoglossal membrane.

The apex of the tongue is the bit at the end that makes contact with the teeth. Linguists studying articulation often discriminate between the apex and the blade of the tongue—essentially, while the apex is the very tip of the tongue, the blade of the tongue is the teeth-facing region just before the apex.

Near where the frenulum meets the root of the tongue, we can also see the submandibular/submaxillary salivary ducts. Image from Visible Body Suite.

The dorsal and lateral surfaces of the tongue are home to a bunch of these small projections, and there are a few different varieties of them. The vallate papillae, which sit in a row on the dorsum of the tongue, contain lots of tastebuds (100–300 per papilla).

Image from Visible Body Suite. Fungiform papillae, which contain about 5 tastebuds each, are found protruding mostly from the sides and apex of the tongue.

Image from Visible Body Suite. Foliate papillae are located in small grooves on the sides of the tongue.

Lastly, filiform papillae can be found all over the tongue. They don’t contain any tastebuds, but they do have touch receptors.

The four paired intrinsic tongue muscles allow the tongue to change shape. The superior longitudinal muscles run along the tongue just below the superior surface’s mucosa.

The inferior longitudinal muscles are basically the inferior surface equivalent of the SL muscle. That is, it sits just above the mucosa of the inferior surface of the tongue.

In addition, it allows for the retroflexion of the base of the tongue. The transverse muscles run laterally across the tongue, connecting the medial septum and the lateral aspect of the tongue.

The vertical muscles connect the inferior and superior surfaces of the tongue. Their action is to flatten the tongue.

You can check out a nice summary of tongue movements here.

All of these muscles originate outside the tongue and insert into it at various points.

Muscle. Origin.

Action. Palatoglossus.

Lateral border of tongue. Initiation of swallowing.

Anterior lateral styloid process of temporal bone. Lateral border of tongue.

Hyoglossus. Greater cornu of hyoid bone.

Depresses the tongue. Genioglossus.

Tongue and hyoid. Depresses and extends the tongue.

Inferior mental spine (process) of mandible. Anterior body of hyoid.

When we produce speech, the tongue serves as a versatile articulator. Many consonant sounds are produced by a particular part of the tongue obstructing the flow of air coming up from the trachea at a particular place in a particular manner.

A k or g involves the dorsum of the tongue making contact with the velum (soft palate) as it briefly blocks the air stream.

The position of the tongue in the mouth determines a vowel’s height (high, mid, low) and whether it is a front, central, or back vowel. For example, a high front vowel would be the “ee” in “free” and a low back vowel would be the “ah” in “spa.” The tongue also determines whether a vowel is tense or lax.

You can read more about the anatomy and physiology of speech sounds here. For now, let’s move on to the tongue’s role in swallowing food.

dr version is that the tongue pushes food around in the mouth while you break it up with your teeth and it pushes chewed food (now called a bolus) toward the oropharynx. The filiform papillae on the tongue make this easier by helping to increase friction between the tongue and the food.

Swallowing has an oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal stage (each one is named for the location of the bolus as it passes from the mouth, into the pharynx, and down the esophagus). Scientists break down the oral phase of swallowing liquid into two stages, and they use the more complex Process Model to describe the oral stage of swallowing solid food.

Let’s say you’re drinking a glass of water. In the oral preparatory stage, you take a sip of water and your tongue forms a seal against your soft palate, holding the water in the front of your oral cavity.

The tongue continues pressing up against the top of the mouth from front to back, pushing the water towards the pharynx and initiating the pharyngeal stage of swallowing. Pretty simple.

Now let’s say you’re having a snack with your glass of water—an apple. You bite into it and then, in the stage 1 transport phase of the Process Model, the tongue pushes the piece of apple towards your back teeth so you can chew it.

Food processing begins and the movements of mastication (chewing) and secretions from your salivary glands begin the physical and chemical digestion process, forming a nice (and by nice I mean mushy and kinda gross) bolus you can swallow. As you chew, your tongue moves in cyclical motions to help keep the food in the right place.

Stage 2 transport works similarly to the oral propulsive stage: the tongue presses against the top of the mouth from back to front, moving the bolus to the back of the mouth. After that, it’s the pharynx’s turn to take over.

Though the tongue enables speech and swallowing, we probably more readily associate it with our sense of taste. So how does the sense of taste work.

Image from Visible Body Suite. As I mentioned earlier, many of the papillae on the tongue’s surface contain tastebuds.

Each tastebud contains an opening called a pore, where food dissolved in saliva can enter. It also contains specialized epithelial cells that respond to chemicals in food called tastants.

If you’ve studied olfaction, this probably sounds like a pretty familiar process. Fun fact.

The gustatory cells pass on their action potential to neurons of the facial, glossopharyngeal, and vagus nerves. From there, the signals pass to the medulla oblongata, then the thalamus, and then (at last) to the gustatory cortex in the cerebrum.

When we “taste” a flavor, olfaction is really doing about 80% of the work. Why.

Odorants rise off the food in your mouth while you’re chewing on it. These odorants travel through the retronasal pathway and they get picked up by the receptor cells of your olfactory epithelium.

And there you have it. Whether you’re talking, eating, talking about eating, or talking while you’re eating (not advised), the tongue is hard at work.

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