Tongue Thrust Therapy
Retrain Your Tongue. Protect Your Teeth. Breathe and Swallow the Way Your Body Was Designed To
If your tongue pushes against or between your teeth when you swallow, speak, or rest, that pattern can quietly undo orthodontic work, contribute to speech distortions, and create tension in your jaw and face.
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Tongue thrust isn’t just a childhood issue. Many adults have never addressed it.
At Practical Speech, we provide tongue thrust therapy for adults that targets the root cause, not just the symptoms, through evidence-based orofacial myofunctional therapy.
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If you’re looking for adult tongue thrust treatment or orofacial myofunctional therapy for tongue thrust adults, you’re in the right place.
What Is Tongue Thrust?
Tongue thrust refers to a swallowing or speaking pattern where the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth instead of resting on the palate.
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In a typical swallow, the tongue should press up into the roof of the mouth with lips closed and teeth gently together.
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In a tongue thrust pattern, we often see:
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Forward tongue pressure on the teeth
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Open mouth posture
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Low tongue posture
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Lips apart at rest
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Facial muscle overuse during swallowing
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Orthodontic relapse
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Persistent speech distortions (often /s/, /z/, “sh,” “ch”)
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Over time, this can influence dental alignment, jaw stability, breathing patterns, and oral rest posture.
Why Tongue Posture and Oral Rest Posture Matter
Your tongue rests in your mouth thousands of hours per year. If it rests low or forward, it applies subtle but constant pressure to the teeth and jaw.
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Healthy oral rest posture includes:
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Lips gently closed
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Teeth lightly together or slightly apart
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Tongue suctioned to the palate
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Nasal breathing
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Correcting tongue posture is not cosmetic. It’s structural. This is why orthodontists often refer for tongue thrust therapy when braces alone aren’t enough to maintain results.
Signs You May Need Tongue Thrust Therapy
You may benefit from tongue thrust therapy for adults if you:
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Had braces but your teeth shifted back
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Notice your tongue touching your teeth at rest
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Swallow by pushing your tongue forward
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Have a lisp that never fully resolved
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Clench or hold tension in your jaw
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Breathe through your mouth
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Were told you have a “low tongue posture”
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Many adults assume this is “just how they are.” It isn’t. These patterns are learned, but they can be retrained.
How Tongue Thrust Therapy Works
I use structured, progressive orofacial myofunctional therapy for tongue thrust adults to retrain:
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Oral rest posture
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Tongue-to-palate placement
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Swallowing pattern
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Nasal breathing
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Speech precision (when needed)
This is active therapy. You’ll learn targeted exercises, habit retraining strategies, and awareness drills designed to shift automatic patterns. Most adults begin noticing improved tongue control within the first few weeks when they practice consistently.
If snoring or airway concerns are also present, therapy can be coordinated with our mouth breathing or nasal breathing programs.
How Long Does Tongue Thrust Therapy Take?
Most adult programs range from 8–16 sessions depending on:
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Severity of tongue posture pattern
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Orthodontic history
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Jaw tension or TMD involvement
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Consistency with home practice
We discuss timeline expectations clearly during your consultation.
If you’re wondering how long myofunctional therapy takes to reduce snoring or improve airway stability, that depends on your individual breathing pattern, but tongue posture is often a key component.
Why Adults Choose Practical Speech
Adults seeking tongue thrust therapy often want:
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A provider who understands orthodontic stability
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Someone comfortable treating adults (not just children)
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Clear structure and measurable progress
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Respectful, direct communication
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Integration with dental and airway providers
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That’s the standard here.
As a speech-language pathologist trained in orofacial myofunctional disorders, I focus on functional change that protects your long-term oral health, not temporary compensation strategies.
What to Expect
Free 15-Minute Consultation
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A brief call to review symptoms and determine fit at no cost.
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Comprehensive Evaluation
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Detailed history (including dental and orthodontic history), observation of swallowing patterns, tongue posture, breathing pattern, lip strength and closure, and assessment of speech production.
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Individualized Treatment Plan
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Typically weekly or biweekly sessions, including medical referrals if needed.
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Focused, High-yield Lessons
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1:1 work and feedback.
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Home Practice Designed for Carryover
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Daily exercises are essential for progress.
Investment
Comprehensive Evaluation for Adults: $360
Follow-Up Sessions: $165 - $195
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Practical Speech is a private-pay practice. This model allows for unhurried, one-on-one adult sessions and individualized treatment planning without insurance restrictions or session caps.
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For clients who wish to use out-of-network (OON) benefits, we partner with Thrizer, a service that submits claims to your insurance on your behalf and helps streamline reimbursement.
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Clear pricing. No surprise billing. No pre-authorization delays.​​
Have questions?
Schedule a free consultation with Regina to learn more or submit an inquiry!
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