Tongue thrusting, simply defined, is the habit of thrusting the tongue forward agaay and about 2000 times per day. During each swallow, the tongue can exert momentary pressures of 1 to 6 pounds on the surrounding structures of the mouth. This pressure will push the teeth and bone forward or apart. Tongue thrusting will move teeth into abnoinst the teeth or in between while swallowing. It is an infantile pattern of swallowing that has been retained by an individual.

Tongue thrusting is the abnormal habit of placing the tongue between the teeth before, and during the act of swallowing. During a normal swallow, the tongue should be placed on the roof of the mouth and not between the teeth.Swallowing occurs 24 hours per drmal positions and cause growth distortions of the face and teeth.