Metal Mouth Message Board

I got spikes on the back of my lower k-9s to help me to learn to swallow correctly. I apparently have tongue thrust. This is really painful. I have only had them in for one day but it is hurting my tongue so badly. I am putting my tongue in the roof of my mouth before I swallow but when I swallow the bottom of my tongue still touches the spikes. I don't know if i am still swallowing wrong or if my tongue is too big. Has anyone else had this and does it correct the swallow quickly?

Have you looked online at the Bluegrass appliance. It's a roller type appliance for thumb sucking and tongue thrust, as I added in "worriedmom's" question. I just saw it online, but don't know anything else about it

There was also something someone said online about putting a tic tac between your tongue and the roof of your mouth and keeping it there by holding it in place with your tongue.

Might be things to look into ---.

[quote="klobird"]Have you looked online at the Bluegrass appliance. It's a roller type appliance for thumb sucking and tongue thrust, as I added in "worriedmom's" question. I just saw it online, but don't know anything else about it

There was also something someone said online about putting a tic tac between your tongue and the roof of your mouth and keeping it there by holding it in place with your tongue. :Questions:

Might be things to look into ---. :?:[/quote]


I have spacers in and I go back in a week for her to do something she called slenderizing my bottom teeth. They are kinda triangular shape and she is going to take like a milimeter off each side and then pull them back. She said some of the teeth flaring is from crowding and some of it is from thrusting. I am really hoping by next thursday I have learned how to swallow without touching the spikes. If not, I may ask her if there is an alternative treatment for thrusting that she is willing to try.

I am an orofacial myologist and am trained to help individuals learn how to repattern the muscles of the tongue to create a palatal swallow. Unfortunately the appliance will probably not correct your tongue thrust but is compensatory in nature.
If you google the "International Association of Orofacial Myology" you will find further information about orofacial myology.

I am sorry to hear about your situation – it is difficult for the orthodontist as they may not have any other options. I would definitely wait to have any irreversible procedures performed on the lower teeth and seek alternative therapy.