When we think of tongue thrust, we often associate it with children — especially those who have difficulty weaning from a pacifier or struggle with speech clarity. But the truth is, tongue thrusting is extremely common in adults — and many don’t even realize they’re doing it.

Tongue thrust isn’t just a habit; it’s often a sign that the muscles of the face, jaw, and tongue aren’t working in harmony. And if left unaddressed, it can lead to long-term issues with dental alignment, facial tension, breathing, and more.

So how do you know if tongue thrust is affecting you?

Quick At-Home Tongue Test

Want to find out what your tongue is doing when you swallow? Let’s try it:

Grab a small sip of water (or any liquid).
Smile — keep your teeth gently together.
Now swallow.

Did your tongue:

✅ Stay up and back in your mouth?

❌ Push against or between your teeth?

If your tongue pushes forward or sneaks between your teeth, that may be a tongue thrust pattern — and it’s one of the most common signs we see in adults during evaluations. Myofunctional therapy can help retrain that pattern and prevent long-term complications.

Other Common Signs of Tongue Thrusting in Adults

1. Your tongue pushes forward when you eat or drink

If your tongue comes out past your teeth while swallowing food or sipping from a straw, that’s a red flag. Many adults develop compensations that go unnoticed — especially if they’ve adapted to it over time.

2. Speech distortions (especially /s/, /z/, /sh/, /ch/ sounds)

A subtle lisp or speech that sounds slightly “wet” or “unclear” may be due to improper tongue placement during speech.

3. You breathe through your mouth — especially at night

Chronic mouth breathing disrupts oral muscle balance and reinforces low tongue posture, a key contributor to tongue thrust.

4. You have jaw tension, TMJ issues, or facial fatigue

The extra muscle effort required to compensate for poor tongue posture can strain the jaw, leading to clicking, popping, or discomfort in the TMJ.

5. Your teeth have shifted after braces

If you had braces but your bite keeps moving, the cause may not be your retainer — it might be your tongue. Constant pressure from a forward tongue posture can cause relapse, especially with open bites.

6. You experience frequent headaches or neck tension

Imbalances in tongue and jaw function can affect posture all the way down to the neck and shoulders, contributing to tension or pain.

7. You have difficulty swallowing pills or feel food gets “stuck”

If swallowing doesn’t feel efficient or natural, your tongue may not be propelling food the right way — especially if it's pushing forward instead of upward.

Why It Matters

Tongue thrust is often a symptom, not just a habit. It can be linked to:

Nasal airway restrictions or deviated septum
Sleep-disordered breathing or mild sleep apnea
High, narrow palate or tongue tie
Chronic allergies or enlarged tonsils
Poor oral habits developed early in life

What You Can Do About It

The good news? Tongue thrust can be corrected — at any age.

A myofunctional therapy program helps retrain the tongue and surrounding muscles to rest, breathe, and swallow the way they were designed to. It’s a non-invasive, exercise-based approach that can support dental stability, clearer speech, and better breathing — all by getting to the root cause.

Ready to Learn More?

If any of these signs sound familiar — or if your tongue snuck through your teeth during that sip test — it’s worth getting evaluated by a certified myofunctional therapist. You deserve to understand how your tongue is functioning — and how it might be affecting your overall health more than you realize.

Reach out to schedule a free consultation. Let’s get to the root of it together.