TONGUE THRUST SOLUTIONS l Q&A with Dr. Bailey

Tongue thrusting habit or low tongue rest position can contribute to gaps in teeth, flaring of teeth, reverse smile line, anterior open bites, and other problems in orthodontic treatment. Dr. Bailey reviews what tongue thrusting is and provides some solutions and exercises to help address tongue thrust habit.
👩🏻‍⚕️Dr. Bailey is a board certified orthodontist and co-founder of TrayMinder®.
TrayMinder® is an app that helps busy aligner users to remember to wear their trays so that they can achieve their best possible smile.
📱Download the free TrayMinder® app today to help you get better results from your clear aligner therapy: app.trayminder.com.
Sugar free mints for clear aligner users: MoveMints • TRUTHS ABOUT INVISALIG...
🔎 How Teeth Move: • HOW TEETH MOVE WITH AL...
🔎Switch Aligners Faster: • SWITCH CLEAR ALIGNERS ...
🔎IPR video: • IPR (Interproximal Red...
🔎Aligner removal video: • RIGHT WAY TO REMOVE CL...
🔎Rubber Band: • HOW RUBBER BANDS (ELAS...
🔎How and why teeth move: • HOW TEETH MOVE WITH AL...
🔎Retainers 101: • RETAINERS 101: Which r...
📱TrayMinder app download: app.trayminder.com
Links may contain affiliates. This is not a sponsored post.
💡Disclaimer: This video is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical/dental advice. Content provided on this KZbin channel is for informational purposes only. Please consult with an orthodontist or dentist regarding any dental related diagnosis or treatment options. Information on this KZbin channel should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The statements made about specific products throughout this video are not to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.

[@barbararoeders6393]

I wish you were my Orthodontist, Dr. Bailey!! You are such a friendly, warm-hearted, likeable person and I love how you explain things to us!! I am glad I found you on youtube as my orthodontist didn't tell me anything of this!Thank you for preparing so many people and greetings from Germany :-)

[@TrayMinder]

That’s such a sweet message. Thank you for your kind words.

[@xozeintk8093]

I just downloaded the app thank you for creating this Dr. Bailey!! I’m on my first tray and i had no idea there was even apps for people with Invisalign!! 🤗 No i am so happy that i too tracking my aligner as well taking pics for every aligner!

[@TrayMinder]

That’s great to hear. Good luck with your treatment.

[@belindagolledge4898]

So glad I found this video! Super helpful :) thank you!

[@TrayMinder]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@memento_mori6019]

Thank you Dr. Bailey

[@TrayMinder]

You’re welcome, hope it was helpful.

[@MurdaMeg]

I just downloaded the app thank you for creating this! I’m on my first tray and i had no idea there was even apps for people with Invisalign!! 🤗

[@TrayMinder]

Congratulations on getting started on your treatment :)

[@artisticagi]

0:20 Say the letter “N” and see where your tongue rests. Should rest on roof of mouth. (I like to hold the N sound until I can feel the tongue flat from the roof all the way to the back of the mouth) The pressure causes gaps in the teeth. And teeth to flare forward

[@ramiibrahim3101]

This channel is incredible thanks Dr. Bailey. Would you consider making a video about cracks in the retainers? I know it’s best to consult our orthodontists when cracks are noticed as each case is different. However would be amazing if you can make a video explaining how the aligners are typically able to be equally effective at doing their jobs despite the cracks. I’ve had a few cracks typically after 1 of 2 weeks wearing the aligners and my orthodontists tells me to keep wearing them for the remaining days and it has not affecting my tracking. One would think the force/pressure would lessen with cracked aligners but surprisingly it doesn’t seem to be the case! Would love a video about the rationale behind this in your view. Thanks again for your unwavering attention to detail with these videos!!

[@TrayMinder]

Thank you for your kind words. There will be a #short video out about cracks in retainers. Generally, if the cracks are small, they do not seem to affect the effectiveness of the aligners. However, if your aligner cracks in multiple pieces, it's best to switch to the next set and add extra days to that next set (i.e. you switched 3 days early, so add 3 extra days to the next set).

[@SabrinaRosa02]

Anyone else just find out they do this? 😂😭

[@TrayMinder]

It’s more common than you think.

[@Budgetwithapurpose]

Yes it actually caused my bottom teeth to pertrude causing me to get invisalign. i had no idea I was doing it until I saw my orthodontist

[@frxsh_frexh6606]

i learned like 2 days when i want to the orthodontist

[@Kathakathan11]

I am in shock

[@mayboy401studios]

Just found out today

[@mmayojr]

N position is the actually the wrong cue and it will promote more of a tongue thrust position especially for individuals who already are tongue thrusting. The better cue is the Ing sound.

[@beverlysmith9474]

Thank you

[@TrayMinder]

Thanks for watching.

[@norsequeenastrid2059]

I’ve been doing this since childhood and still do now

[@RapunzelASMR]

same -_-

[@devipriya.a.s5170]

Thank you so much i have this problem began in my childhood and now i realized this what is the reason my front teeth bad position thankyou mam i wil practice this idea everyday ❤

[@TrayMinder]

Daily practice will pay off.

[@biggieshorty]

Right on time! I did not notice until I got my aligners! I knew it could not be good!

[@TrayMinder]

Hope the tips help with the habit.

[@batsydoe]

Growing up I had a slight lisp and started in school speech therapy at 7. Speech therapy incorrectly teaching me to always push my tongue against my teeth to create a proper “s” is what created my tongue thrust issues. (I never dropped the lisp fully) I just didn’t figure it out or learn about it until I hit 27 years old. Better late than never I guess 😂

[@RapunzelASMR]

My tongue keeps doing this! It goes against my front teeth or between. I have a narrow pallate. and now I try keep my tongue at the right place but I constantly need to remind myself. It feels like my tongue is too big. Thankfully I dont have a huge anterior open bite, you see it slightly near my canines. But I do clench at night sometimes. teeth dont flare tho. And my smile has a normal arch.

[@allanngahu505]

Just found this out today 😫

[@lesleystone7873]

Dr. Bailey, your content is amazing! I watched several videos (liked) before subscribing. I only wish I found your channel earlier in my braces journey. I sucked my left thumb until age 15. My braces journey began at age 42. I had Damon braces applied when I was 42. I have my wisdon teeth which grew in fine. I did not want to do any extraction and I voiced this to my orthodontist. I am aware that my mouth is full, however my orthodontist is not quick to do extraction unless absolutely required. I was told my treatment would be 2 years. Fast forward. I'm 46 and just had the braces removed in September 2021. Things are still not correct. My bite on my left side is not proper and as a result I chew only on my right now. I'm now being told my wisdom teeth may be hindering my end game. I'm now going into invisalign, which I was soo against (my orthodontist was trying to sell me this at the beginning of treatment). I haven't binged watch this many videos in a long time, so I thank you for sharing your knowledge. I can't lie, I'm feeling a bit discouraged not knowing what the outcome to my treatment will be. I'm doing my best to stay positive. Wisdom teeth removal at this age seems very painful and are there risk? How would it impact my chewing not having teeth far back? If not the wisdom removed, would it the 2nd molars?

[@TrayMinder]

Thank you for watching and sharing your experience with us. I’m glad to hear that the videos have been helpful for you. It sounds like you have had quite the journey. Wisdom teeth removal is very common. You’ll meet with an oral surgeon to discuss the procedure to answer all your questions.

[@Kennzgrace]

Question! If you get Invisalign done and wear your retainers all day and all night after, will that stop your teeth from shifting if you tongue thrust?

[@anjumsvlog2680]

Wht your thoughts on mewing??

[@s.mg.1077]

I recently switched dentists becauce the doctor I'd been seeing for 20 years retired. My new doctor evaluated me and determined I have tounge thrust. Should general dentists know about this condition?

[@radicalie]

Thanks for the video, very timely! I started to wonder why my bottom teeth were being pushed out so easily and my retainers felt tight. I could feel the pressure from my tongue throughout the day but didn’t know how to place it. Would this mean I have to wear my retainers for longer hours instead of just night time whilst I practice the tongue position?

[@TrayMinder]

Glad the video was helpful for you. If you do have an active tongue thrust habit, it is wise to wear your retainers longer. I wore my retainers full time for one full year after orthodontic treatment.

[@Itsmuna]

I removed my braces June 2021 and my teeth are ruined because of my tongue thrust habits I’m going to a new orthodontist and hopefully they’ll be able to help me my old ortho didn’t even bother to tell me about my tongue thrust issues and gaslighted me when I told her my teeth were moving a week after I removed my braces I sent her before and after pictures of my bite around august 2021 and then she told me that’s just normal with patients that have open bite and I’ll never get 100% results and she won’t bother with fixing my teeth again in October I went to a different ortho for a consultation who said I have incorrect swallowing habits where I push on my front teeth and close my mouth while swallowing and I involuntarily place my tongue on the back of my upper front teeth all day and worse at night and I’m so annoyed because I’ve lost hope how can I get rid of a habit I’ve had for 23 years my back teeth haven’t moved much but my front teeth (upper and lower have significantly moved) the new ortho I’m going only does align ers is it possible for a case like this to only be treated with Invisalign aligners

[@shecantgame3159]

The same thing happened to me except I had underbite surgery because I sucked my tongue as a baby, I think my case was a little different because they just thought it was from that and now how I was also swallowing. Now since I have braces again I been focusing on how I swallow and keeping my tongue at the roof of my mouth. I’ve been practicing it for months and now I do it with out even thinking. Tongue thrusting is just a bad habit and all bad habit can be fixed. I think having braces again helped me focus more on where to position my tongue, I suggest get them again and good luck.

[@roseobrian2586]

I’ve never hear of this before. My tongue has never been in the “n” position before and I didn’t even know that was a thing. I used to have gaps before Invisalign so it definitely makes sense. Could this prolong treatment if I continue with my habit? I did note the tips but is it really possible to change your tongue’s position? I’ll practice it but it requires so much concentration to do the n position.

[@TrayMinder]

It is definitely a strange thing to train yourself if the “N” tongue position was not natural for you. It takes a lot of practice. Definitely talk to your orthodontist to get evaluated. Tongue thrusting can impede orthodontic treatment and future retention in moderate to severe cases.

[@roseobrian2586]

@@TrayMinder I’ll be seeing my ortho today and mention it to them. Thanks for the reply and the great video!

[@Cortology]

My teeth have moved due to sudden tongue thrusting😢

[@vedika664]

Hello doctor,i have been told by my orthodontist that my tongue thrust is due to the fact that my tongue volume is too large. I had a relapse of orthodontic treatment because of it and have been suggested a certain glossectomy as a solution.Can you please provide your valuable opinion on the said glossectomy?Thankyou so much

[@user-qp2xy5zs7r]

I have notice when people talk will press their tongue up against their teeth and make a thhh noise in their voice?

[@iamshakuri]

Dr., so i suck my tongue. I did it as a child and it followed me well into adulthood. It puts pressure on my larynx and it pushes my teeth forward. Isi it possible to get an invisalign with a tongue cradle?

[@thandekilezulu6372]

Thank you for this video. Would a mouth/night guard help me stop the thrusting at night when I sleep?

[@TrayMinder]

Night guards do not stop tongue thrusting but it likely helps to guard against the untoward dental effects of thrusting (for the arch that the night guard is on).

[@gamingandmusic9217]

Thanks from INDIA. is there any only night tongue crib available to wear?

[@TrayMinder]

Thanks for watching. Most tongue cribs are glued in but some removable retainers have custom guards on them.

[@MissMcKennaMarie]

Is it normal that it feels like my tongue goes totally flat and presses up hard on the roof of my mouth when I try swallowing the correct way?

[@mssmonday7902]

Before I go to dentist I decided to see braces iwill wear how it will look and ifound also ihave tongue thrust alhamdulilah ifound it Before I wear braces but my tongue is so big and ithink will not be normal easily 😢

[@yf9409]

I want stop tongue strobing, I cannot sleep without it, I also do it when I’m hungry. I will like to stop it but don’t know. Thanks for making this video!

[@Vennessa-kn9rg]

same here please any help on this please

[@yf9409]

@@Vennessa-kn9rg well I haven’t been disciplined enough to be consistent with the therapy of “saying zing”

[@inesmutiara3491]

thank you,but what is sugar free mint?🙏

[@TrayMinder]

Mint without sugar, such as mints with xylitol.

[@alinazaheer9432]

Hi Dr! I have a habit of tongue thrusts and I have got my tongue crib fixed in my mouth 1 week ago and now I don't understand how to swallow water or my saliva in that N position and in other case tongue crib hurt my tongue alot.

[@TrayMinder]

Sorry to hear that. Tongue cribs can be hard to adjust to. Please reach out to your orthodontist and they can give your detailed information. A myofunctional therapist is also a good person to have onboard to help with tongue thrust habits. Best wishes.

[@blablablamj2132]

Hello What do you mean by Sugar free mint I don't really understand point 2. I have braces for 2years and 8months now and i am tongue thruster

[@TrayMinder]

Mints without sugar, such as mints sweeten by xylitol.

[@hsinf9]

I’ve corrected my tongue position at rest but I still don’t know if I’m thrusting when I chew or swallow food.

[@Datb2]

Me either

[@skywalker6763]

Was it a problem for you while sleeping as well?

[@purpleghost3863]

I didn’t know that leaving a space between my teeth was a proper rest position. I was clenching my teeth forever!

[@TrayMinder]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@lil-pumpeeskeetit134]

How have u done it, it feels just wierd for me and i get headeachs

[@braveimposter]

@@lil-pumpeeskeetit134 same man. Can you correct our posture?

[@Pinkytiwai6458]

Mam ,i have scalloped tongue since 2 month suddenly it happen,before i dont have any type of problem, how I can get rid of it mam,why i cause scalloped tongue and swelling in my tongue or i have teeth mark on tongue edges

[@sweetpotatoes9882]

If I have braces and have this habit does that mean they will fall out???! My teeth make a clicking sound when I do this and it makes sense why there feels alot of pressure

[@TrayMinder]

Have your orthodontist take a look at your next appointment if you’re concerned. People don’t usually lose teeth from tongue thrusting.

[@kentconway5597]

The tip of my tongue rests on the top of my front bottom teeth. When my tongue gets irritated I start tongue thrusting. It's still touching the teeth even in the N position... I also grind and clench when I sleep... It's all so frustrating...

[@TrayMinder]

It feels hard because it is hard. The first step is awareness and you’re already there. Good luck with your treatment.

[@kentconway5597]

@@TrayMinder I with I could afford treatment. The VA doesn't cover it, so I usually end up needing to drink when it gets irritated. Not the best solution, but I have limited options and it works 😔

[@fearless6947]

I have this too. What advice would you give me? I don't think I grind and clench my teeth though

[@annewanjiru6151]

I have a problem of tongue thrusting which makes my teeth to protrude outside how can I stop help me please am 31yrs

[@TrayMinder]

A Myofunctional therapist works with tongue thrust habits. Secondarily, you can speak to your orthodontist or dentist to see if they can prescribe some exercises. For now, be mindful about your tongue position on a regular basis.

[@ashleym3121]

My tongue pushes against the back of my teeth which caused me to get a huge posterior open bite. Now I’m trying out braces to close the bite but my tongue thrusts against my teeth all night so it’s cancelling it out

[@ryanbrets7695]

Ikr it's soul destroying

[@sofluffyunicorn]

That's the reason why my bottom teeth shifted and I have to wear a retainer on the bottom teeth. My tongue position is low my tongue shifted my teeth now I'm learning to swallow with my tongue one the top of my roof.

[@TrayMinder]

Good observation. It’s definitely a hard habit to kick but if you’re mindful and do the exercises daily, you’ll be on your way.

[@trxnqui]

sameee bro i had naturally straight teeth and now 💀💀💀💀

[@lykos3516]

What if my toungue is very big and it doesn't want to rest far back enough on the roof of my mouth

[@rooneysowner1130]

did you have any solution?

[@RamRam-hz9em]

Does tongue crib hurts?

[@TrayMinder]

It can be uncomfortable and takes some adjustment to get used to. Of course, it depends on the type and style of the tongue crib and the person’s adjustment capacity. Generally speaking, kids and teens do better than grown ups.

[@RamRam-hz9em]

@@TrayMinder now I'm 18 I am wearing braces since 13 now they are recommending me to take tongue crib

[@missredumbrella]

I am tongue tied any advice ? Can't rest my tongue where normal tongues can sit

[@TrayMinder]

Tongue tie makes it harder to have the proper tongue position. Talk to a myofunctional therapist for help.

[@missredumbrella]

@@TrayMinder Thank you but sadly financially not a option

[@emmashaw1028]

What about at night time when I'm asleep and I can't control where my tongue is? 🤔

[@TrayMinder]

Great question. You can’t really control your tongue while sleeping. Night guards, retainers, or aligners help to hold your teeth.

[@emmashaw1028]

@@TrayMinder thanks for the reply. I started Invisalign last week to close an open bite. I have been addressing my tongue thrust for a couple of months now and feel I'm doing very well keeping it in the "N" position 🙂

[@TrayMinder]

Great job! You’re well on your way to kicking the habit.

[@anagha906]

Me too have same problem

[@anagha906]

@@TrayMinder then how normal people hold their tounge during sleep time??

[@skywalker6763]

I spend the whole night thrusting my tongue and some mornings my front teeth hurt. I started placing my tongue there since I was a little kid after I quit my thumb habit, as a replacement. And I regret that so much. Is there hope for me?

[@TrayMinder]

There is definitely hope. If you’re doing it at night while sleeping, that may be hard to stop, as you are not consciously doing it. Talk to an orthodontist to see if he/she can make you a special retainer or refer you to a myofunctional specialist.

[@skywalker6763]

@@TrayMinder I was embarrassed to say that but this gave me courage, I’ll tell them. Thank you

[@TampaAries]

I sucked my thumb up until the age of 9 and it left me with an open bite, im 37 now and im one year into my invisalign treatment, open bite is nearly closed now. So will I need to go to a speech therapy or whatever those people are called that help you with your tongue position? Im not sure if I have a tongue thrust but from having an open bite for so many years my tongue is use to going through my top and bottom teeth because i had a big hole between my teeth. I just dont want my teeth to go back to having an open bite again, obviously i no longer suck my thumb but im worried about this tongue thrust thing.

[@TrayMinder]

That’s great to hear your open bite is nearly closed. Talk to your orthodontist to see if they notice a tongue thrust habit. People with long standing anterior open bites have learned to seal the opening with their tongue. Thus, it’s important to curb the habit to decrease the chances of relapse.

[@AbdulMajeed-xs6if]

I got my tongue crib + brance on yesterday ,it's so pain 😓😓. Meanwhile I don't able to have any of my favourite food and with this tongue crip on I won't able to chew on ......it sucks........😵😵

[@TrayMinder]

The beginning is so hard! Give yourself at least 2-4 weeks to get adjusted to the tongue crib. Reach out to your treating doctor if there are any cuts or sores on your tongue.

[@chillinandkillin7823]

I'm on my way tomorrow to get it removed but I'm not sure I don't want it to affect my alignment when my braces get off will night guard or help?? From thrusting?

[@Dreamer0064]

Dr. Bailey 6 weeks ago I bit my tongue pretty badly, couldn't eat, drink or talk for a couple weeks. I didn't think I needed stitches, cause it didn't bleed much. After about 10 days I did go to Urgent care he said I should have had a couple stitches. It's healed a lot the gash is very small, but it is still there, does it take longer for a gash to heal when you don't get stitches? Can I use dermabond on it to close? Also I notice since this happened I am biting my tongue more talking and eating, which I never did before. The night 6 weeks ago, I was eating something crunchy, and I missed it, and bit into my tongue, now I am off with my bite, is this serious or is my jaw not aligned correctly?

[@tinhi1]

In the N position where does the tongue sit?

[@TrayMinder]

It’s where your tongue would go when you say the letter N. To make the /n/ sound: Place the front of your tongue against the roof of your mouth, behind your teeth. The tip and sides of your tongue should touch the roof of your mouth.

[@StarPears4me]

So my tongue is supposed to rest touching the roof of my mouth?

[@anthonycorona2537]

in other words, start mewing!

[@aquarian4260]

I love how she didnt give a single piece of advise in the comments not never mentioned mewing, another one with a degree to pay off debt and make money xD

[@AsteMari]

These tips don’t really help. Is there any form of surgery I can get ? For my tongue ? I

[@TrayMinder]

Ask your dentist or orthodontist to refer you to a myofunctional therapist. Habits are hard to break and will take time and persistence.

[@mooktemas6800]

Ruined my life. I’m using braces now and gradually recovering

[@nonebelievingbeliever3753]

Can't be that bad😂

[@florencelecourt3850]

the sound is not good I am quite disappointed

[@TrayMinder]

Thanks for your feedback about the sound.