Tongue thrust, tongue tip position at rest, and sigmatism: a review

This article reviews the available evidence regarding the incidence of tongue thrust swallowing and the possible relation between this deglutition pattern, tongue tip position at rest, and sigmatism. It is found that tongue thrust swallowing a) is the rule rather than the exception in children under 10 years of age, b) is not correlative with low tongue tip position at rest, c) is not closely linked up with dental malocclusion, and d) does not prevent, but may delay, the acquisition of correct sibilant articulation.