Orthodontic Tongue Tamers. Hell or ok?

[SingingRo]

Hi all - my DD (14) needs braces to correct a crossbite and other issues. The orthodontist says she also needs small metal spikes, known as tongue tamers, to be attached to the back of her front teeth to correct what he identified as a tongue thrust. In addition he suggested they would correct her slight lisp.

Have you come across them - and are they as bad as they sound? I don't want to have them fitted and then regret it.

[Mrsmorton]

I just googled tolerated lingual Spurs and had a look at the literature.

Not something I know much about but it would appear they are well tolerated and break the habit. If you don't break the habit, the treatment is useless as it will just relapse.

[SingingRo]

Thanks, Mrsmorton. That's helpful. I saw some online accounts of them causing people a lot of discomfort with ulcers etc and don't want her to be miserable if a different approach could work.

[Mrsmorton]

I think all "things" cause ulcers etc to begin with! They're certainly uncomfortable but it does pass. I'm just a dentist, not an ortho so no specific knowledge sorry!

[SingingRo]

That doesn't sound so bad. Thanks for letting me know.

[danandmichelle]

Hi, I'm interested to know how the tongue tamers went and whether they sorted out the tongue thrust and lisp? My 10 year old son has a tongue thrust, lisp and says t, d , l, n touching his front teeth instead of 'the spot'and two orthodontists have refused to put any tongue tamers in.