Conditions / Swallowing difficulties
Swallowing difficulties
Dysphagia or atypical swallow patterns that affect comfort, nutrition, and dental health. Often co-managed with a speech-language pathologist or other specialist.
What it is
Swallowing is a complex coordination of muscles. When the pattern is atypical — for example, a tongue thrust — it can affect comfort, dental alignment, and how efficiently food moves.
In infants, latch and feeding difficulties often have a tongue-tie or muscle-tone component.
Common signs
- ·Tongue thrust during swallow
- ·Difficulty managing food or liquids
- ·Gagging or choking during meals
- ·Infant latch difficulties or breastfeeding pain
- ·Picky eating in children
How myofunctional therapy may help
Educational, not diagnostic. Outcomes vary; results are not guaranteed.
Retrain the swallow pattern through targeted exercises.
Coordinate with your speech-language pathologist or other specialist.
What to expect
Programs vary widely depending on the underlying cause and the patient's age.
Infant feeding work is typically 2–4 weeks.
Adult swallow retraining may run 3–6 months.