Tongue Crib

A tongue crib is used to help patients break habits of thumb sucking and tongue thrusting (placing the tongue in the wrong position when swallowing). A tongue crib works by retraining the tongue to not “thrust” forward to the front teeth. The tongue crib has two bands on the back end of the appliance. The bands are cemented onto the back molars. Attached to the tongue crib is a cage which is used to stop the patient from pushing the tongue against the upper front teeth.  The appliance also makes it difficult to suck a finger (such as a thumb) and helps to eliminate the habit. Just like any other appliance, it may take a few days to get used to eating and speaking when wearing it.