Tongue thrust is a swallowing pattern where the tongue presses forward against or between the teeth.

In kid words

"Tongue thrust just means your tongue likes to push forward against your teeth when you swallow, instead of curling up toward the roof of your mouth, and tons of kids do it without even thinking about it." Say it the same easy way you would mention any other checkup word. Most kids grow out of it all on their own as they get a little older.

The parent version

Tongue thrust describes a swallowing pattern where the tongue presses forward against or between the teeth rather than up against the roof of the mouth. It is the typical pattern for babies, and mainstream sources describe it as common in young children more broadly, not something unusual to notice in a toddler or preschooler.

Most children shift away from it naturally as their swallowing pattern matures with age. In some children it lingers longer, and mainstream guidance simply treats that as worth keeping an eye on rather than something to act on right away. What it means for your own child's particular pattern is a question for your pediatric dentist, not something to puzzle out from a description online.

Where you might hear it at our office

Growth and alignment are checked at every routine visit, and a lingering tongue thrust is exactly the kind of pattern that tends to get noticed there rather than at home. It is simply one more detail your pediatric dentist keeps in view alongside teeth and gums during a comprehensive exam.

Most of the time, noticing it early just means it gets watched a little longer, not that anything needs to happen right away. Curious about another word from a visit? The Kids' Dental Dictionary has more waiting to be looked up.

Related words

Malocclusion. Bite. Palate.