The habit of constantly licking or pressing the tongue against the teeth may seem harmless, but it can indeed become detrimental to oral health over time. This chronic interaction introduces continuous, low-grade forces and environmental changes that slowly reshape the mouth’s landscape. The resulting damage is often cumulative, leading to physical wear and structural changes that may require professional intervention. Addressing this habit is important for preventing long-term damage to the teeth and jaw structure.
Immediate Impact of Constant Oral Contact
The oral cavity maintains a delicate balance, and constant tongue contact can introduce subtle environmental shifts. Saliva acts as a natural buffer, neutralizing acids and aiding in the remineralization of tooth enamel. When the tongue constantly rubs the teeth, it affects the localized distribution and flow of this protective fluid. The tongue is a reservoir for the oral microbiome, including bacteria responsible for plaque and decay. If the tongue is poorly cleaned or the habit is linked to dry mouth, this continuous contact may redistribute microbes onto tooth surfaces, making teeth more susceptible to wear.
Physical Consequences: Enamel Wear and Abrasion
The most common damage from this habit is the physical wearing down of the tooth surface. Although tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it is not impervious to mechanical wear over time. The constant, repetitive friction from the tongue, particularly its tip, can lead to abrasion on the lingual surfaces (the backs of the teeth).
This abrasive effect is significantly amplified when the enamel is temporarily softened by acid exposure from foods, drinks, or stomach reflux. While tongue contact causes almost no detectable enamel loss without an acidic challenge, when enamel is pre-softened, licking can more than double the tissue loss compared to acid exposure alone. This combination of erosion and abrasion is damaging, leading to a loss of tooth substance that cannot be naturally repaired.
As the protective enamel layer thins, the underlying dentin becomes exposed. Dentin is softer and wears away more quickly. This exposure often results in increased dental sensitivity, particularly to hot, cold, or sweet stimuli. Worn areas are also more prone to collecting plaque, increasing the risk of dental decay.
Structural Concerns: Malocclusion and Tongue Thrust
Beyond surface wear, sustained pressure from the tongue can lead to significant structural changes in the dental arch. Teeth are not fixed immovably; they can be moved by persistent, low-force pressure over a long duration. This principle is fundamental to orthodontic treatment, but it can also be caused unintentionally by oral habits.
When the tongue habitually rests or pushes against the teeth, it creates a prolonged force that can push them out of alignment, a condition known as malocclusion. While often called “tongue thrusting,” structural damage is usually caused by an incorrect resting tongue posture, not the force exerted during swallowing. Tooth movement requires an abnormal pressure position for at least six hours per day, a duration easily met by poor resting posture.
The most common outcome is an anterior open bite, where the upper and lower front teeth fail to meet when the mouth is closed, creating a gap. The tongue’s persistent interposition prevents the front teeth from fully erupting into their correct position. This habit can also lead to generalized spacing or cause the maxillary anterior teeth to protrude forward.
Identifying Underlying Causes and Developing Solutions
The habit of licking or pressing the tongue against the teeth often develops as an unconscious coping mechanism or an adaptation to an underlying issue. For many adults, the repetitive motion serves as a self-soothing behavior linked to managing stress or anxiety. Other common causes include a dry mouth, rough edges on existing dental work, or a persistent infantile swallowing pattern.
Behavioral Solutions
Addressing the habit requires focusing on both behavior and structure. For behavioral intervention, techniques like mindfulness can help increase awareness of the unconscious habit, and setting periodic reminders can interrupt the pattern. Simple at-home exercises, such as practicing proper tongue posture (where the tongue tip rests on the roof of the mouth behind the front teeth), can help retrain the muscles.
Professional Intervention
Professional help is necessary for long-term correction and prevention of further damage. An orthodontist can assess for malocclusion and may recommend appliances to physically block the tongue’s access to the teeth, serving as a constant reminder. Myofunctional therapy, a form of physical therapy for the mouth and facial muscles, is specifically designed to correct the resting posture and swallowing patterns of the tongue, often working with orthodontic treatment to stabilize the teeth.