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Odd tongue sucking habit, PLEASE HELP!

It sounds strange, but whenever I sleep or am in a restful state of mind, I suck on my tongue by tucking my teeth over my top teeth and suckle. Similar to thumb sucking, and I've doing it since I was little. I'm now 20 and now I'm more worried about dental issues than ever. My dentist said I have beautiful teeth, but I've become extremely paranoid.

I've tried retainers with small pokey things to prevent my tongue, but all that did was cause lacerations and I still continued. It makes it difficult because my tongue is in my mouth and most times then not its a subconscious habit and I can't control it.

I can't find any help with this and even my dentist wasn't sure if it'd cause damage.

I'd like to if it will affect my teeth in any way, if not I'll continue and just accept it because if I don't do it I cannot sleep at night.

Please someone help with some insight, I'm at my wit's end.
47 Responses
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Avatar universal
I used to suck my tongue. Ever since I was a baby until I got a tongue guard put in my mouth which accompanied braces when I was 15. The tongue guard was in my mouth for a year. The tongue guard prevented me from sucking. I would get so frustrated at night because that had been my only way of getting any sleep. It had the same effect a pacifier would have for a baby.

I finally learned to get to sleep well without doing it. Even after they took it out, my tongue was trained to stay in my mouth, My advise is to seek therapy. That is the most effective treatment for this.

Other than that, there is wearing a night guard (temporary) or tongue guard (permanent). With the tongue guard, you can't just take it out...you're stuck with it until your dentist removes it. I wouldn't recommend a night guard very highly unless you have discipline/self-control.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hie. I need help on this subject
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a 53 year old man and I suck my tongue. I've been doing it my whole life and cant stop. It's embarrassing I'm a business man and I will catch myself doing it in meetings. I thought I was weird because I have never heard of anyone else having this habit. It makes me feel better knowing other people have the same habit. I would like to stop but when I try I cant go to sleep at night. I actually like it because it's relaxing. People tell me that everyone has stress and it comes out in different ways and they says that is how I deal with stress but I don't know. I was thinking of maybe trying a hypnotist to break the habit has anyone ever tried this? Let me know.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I thought I was the only one who did this !!! I’ve done it since I was little and now I’m 23. I like to either play with peoples hair and all of a sudden I start sucking on my tongue or scratching peoples scabs off their arms. By people usually mom or dad. I try my hardest not to do it to my boyfriend but it’s just comforting.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am a 44-year-old woman and I have been sucking my tongue since I was like 6 years old especially when I'm tired or going to sleep.  I saw my aunt doing it as a child and I started to mimic her for whatever reason. My aunt is 58 years old and she STILL sucks her tongue! I guess neither of us will never stop. I have a 2 year old son and he sucks his 2 middle fingers, but not his tongue so there's definitely a connection here. . . just wish I knew what it was??? I had a tooth extracted yesterday and I'm worried about dry socket because I can't stop sucking my tongue especially at night when I'm going to sleep.
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Avatar universal
COMMUNITY LEADER
Seeing a tmj specialist to request a night guard or occlusal appliance therapy is advised. Your problem may be related to CNS abnormal function, occlusal appliance therapy may change CNS function.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have the same problem. My mom had a boyfriend when i was younger whos mom was worried about my teeth getting messed up she would watch through our the night. But my tongue comes out on its own. I have a baby picture of me sucking my tongue. I also snap on a certain material and it makes a popping sound.. the pleasure of doing that and sucking my tongue is amazing. I'm 24 and been doing since i was born basically. I've had braces and my teeth look good. They might be pushed out a little but nothing major. I mostly only do it at night now or when I'm tired. It must be something your genes cause I just had a baby and my son does it too. I dont think you can stop unless you had really good self control. In My case, my tongue just comes out when i go to sleep. It has a mind of its own HAHA
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I also have the same problem. I thought I was weird. My mom use to smack me when I was younger but it never helped. I also enjoy doing the pop sound of fabrics. I really thought one as the only one with this problem
Avatar universal
I have this problem too. People look at me crazy because i don't even know i am doing it. I think it has something to do with daydreaming and stress! while at least for me...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ive also been sucking on my tongue since a child and at the same time play with my hair when I had hair. Im surprised when I googled Tongue sucking versus thumb sucking there were not comparison or explanation. I do suck my tongue when I am relaxed or hungry.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 26 and unfortunately I have had this tongue sucking problem too since I could remember. I used to have a baby blanket with soft fabric I would pet between my thumb And index finger until I fell asleep. I literally slept with that until the 8th grade. It was so hard to give my blanket with my fabric up because it helped me go to sleep. I have had braces twice because of over bites and a gap between my teeth. Unfortunately I couldn't  kick the tongue sucking habit while I was sleeping so my teeth always moved back, it was a waste of money those braces. I never experienced a lisp and honestly never knew all of you experience the same habit as myself. I thought I was the only one. Dentist seem to not have a solid answer for this either. I also had a spiked wire built in the roof of my mouth that would stab my tongue if I suck it out while I was sleeping. It got so bad my tongue would bleed so I cut it out of my mouth. When I was 22 about 4 years ago I wanted my teeth fixed once and for all so I decided to get 4 veneers on the front of my teeth it cost around 6,000$ total. It honestly made me so happy because I have tried to fix my teeth so many times and finally in two doctor visits I had the smile I always dreamed of. But my doctor explained if I keep sucking my tongue my veneers will move just like my teeth, and 4 years later I'm experiencing the change again, not a gap but a slight unnoticeable movement. Well not noticable now at least. I did get a special night retainer that has a tiny hole in the top of the retainer that keeps your tongue back at night. I used it a lot the first year but it is so uncomfortable to try to break this habit that's like asking a person to try to sleep with your eyes open, it's just to hard you'll be up all night, that's how we feel about sleeping with our tongues in our mouth! The dentist told me I would have to wear my retainer every night for the rest of my life because it is to hard to break this habit after doing it for so many years. Which is sad, I don't mind it when I would go to slumber parties when I was little my girlfriends always thought it was cute. And my boyfriend thinks it's cute as well. I don't mind doing it I just don't want messed up teeth after all I have done to try to keep them straight for longer then 4 years before there doomed once again! :(
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Hello everyone!

All of my life I thought I was the only one that had this problem. I didn't know what my tongue sucking was called but on a radio show this morning I heard it's called Tongue Thrusting (good to know it has a label) it results from weening children off breast feeding. I am 22 years old and I've been sucking since I was a child, can't remember never sucking.

Anyway I finally found the solution to my sucking habit. I noticed a lot of people are seeking solutions and I want to share what helped me stop sucking. This sucking is almost an addiction to me, in fact it is an addiction. I noticed that the urge to suck my tongue can be overwhelming and so I learnt to tell myself that this urge will pass and not to give in to the momentary pleasure. Just remind yourself that the urge will pass and it does pass. All you have to do is that once you catch yourself sucking stop immediately, and trust in this process. Just stop sucking immediately and remind yourself that the urge will pass and that you're the one in control, not the urge. Them remove your mind from the issue of sucking, think of something else to distract yourself. Whenever the urge comes just repeat the process. The urge to suck my tongue always passes, keep reminding yourself that the urge will pass and eventually the urge won't come. Do not dwell on your tongue sucking as a problem. do not focus your mind on it, ignore the tongue sucking and eventually the thought of sucking will leave you.

I must say that like most addiction, tongue sucking never really leaves. If you give in to it again, it'll come back in full force. I noticed that after I successfully stopped sucking and I went through a traumatic experience, I turned to sucking to calm me down, almost like some people turn to alcohol to drown their sorrows. It never really goes away because its a pleasure you can call up by yourself. When I stopped sucking the urge never came on its own. I notice that I was the one that sought the pleasure of sucking. I have stopped sucking so many times that I have become a master of it. I realised that I could control it at will.

The longest I have gone without sucking is 3 years but I messed that track record on my own. Once you follow my advice and realise that sucking is an urge you can actively control, it'll be easy to stop sucking once you decide to. Do not see your tongue sucking as a problem you have to deal with, it is a part of you that you can control simply by not giving in to the urge to suck. I see my tongue sucking as a unique gift, the pleasure and bliss it gives me is on the same scale as orgasm only, it isn't sexual and it lasts much longer.

Yes you can stop sucking! The only tool you need is the serious desire to stop sucking your tongue and follow my tips above. Good luck!
Avatar universal
I used to suck my tongue ever since I was a child. I tried to stop but I could not. I later came across someone who had a similar problem but prayed to God and the problem stopped. That same day, I also prayed to God. Praise JESUS, I no longer suck my tongue. Your testimony will be the next if you BELIEVE. Accept Jesus into your life and have FAITH. There is nothing too hard for God to do. You can even make a vow like the way I did promising that I was going to share my testimony once the healing takes place. MAKE SURE it is a vow you can pay and pay the vow once you notice the tongue sucking has stopped.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It pushes your teeth forward and you have to have braces
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
I am 18 and my dentist says that my teeth are perfectly fine (apart from some baby teeth due to breaking my jaw when I was younger).
I do the same thing - I am kind of glad that so many people have the same problem or condition or whatnot as I do.
I have started since I was a baby. I never sucked my thumb and I never had a dummy but I did break my jaw when I was in year 2.
I mainly do it when I am stressed and I also play with my hair. I thought it was because I had family issues when I was younger and it had just stuck. I do it mainly subconsciously now and it reassures and calms me down. No idea why. I go through periods when I do it and when I don't. It just depends on stress. It doesn't hurt but it can sometimes get very loud. Not many people have picked up that I do it only a few close friends who have known me since primary. I don't really care if it goes away or not as at the moment it is not causing any harm.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,
I am 18 and my dentist says that my teeth are perfectly fine (apart from some baby teeth due to breaking my jaw when I was younger).
I do the same thing - I am kind of glad that so many people have the same problem or condition or whatnot as I do.
I have started since I was a baby. I never sucked my thumb and I never had a dummy but I did break my jaw when I was in year 2.
I mainly do it when I am stressed and I also play with my hair. I thought it was because I had family issues when I was younger and it had just stuck. I do it mainly subconsciously now and it reassures and calms me down. No idea why. I go through periods when I do it and when I don't. It just depends on stress. It doesn't hurt but it can sometimes get very loud. Not many people have picked up that I do it only a few close friends who have known me since primary. I don't really care if it goes away or not as at the moment it is not causing any harm.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i dont suck my tongue but i am only doing this research for my 13 year old brother. He used to pull under his armpit but stopped after a long time then he moved to in between his arm sometimes pulling his neck a swell. But now he  he pulls his neck mostly whilst sucking his tongue and it is very irritating to watch.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm 30 this year and have been sucking my gouge for as long as I can remember. It's increasingly become painful when I wake up in the morning and I think I bite into my tongue while sleeping because of positioning to enable me to suck it.
While I was in my early 20's I'd made major steps towards stopping by simply being very conscious and stopping myself and it really helped; I almost didn't do it anymore. Then, there was a major tragedy in my life and before I realised it, I just went back to doing it and worse than before. I want to try stopping again; it's very uncomfortable most of the time. The pain and discomfort now outweigh the pleasure. Also, my older sister does it too and it looks really weird :) I must say it's a very difficult habit to stop as unlike the finger, your tongue is already in your mouth.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have it too, whenever I stop doing it just automatically goes back to the way it was, I notice tht I only do it when am thinking or when am busy and especially in my sleep. Am 19 and I have been doing it for as long as u can remember.
Helpful - 0
6742871 tn?1384326152
I do not suck my tongue and teeth, do not understand how most people have this experience ah. I think this is a habit of it, like someone sleeping to touch the ears to fall asleep.
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Avatar universal
Oh and I also mess with my ears while I suck my tongue any body else do that
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I suck my tongue and I'm 15 I want to stop because my teeth is starting to push up and my mom said that she's not gonna give me braces into I stop
My brother and sister told me to stop they said I look like a retard and begin to imitate me I tell them that its harder to stop than sucking your thumb because they both suck their thumb and decided they wanted to stop and succeeded with it ,so my brother said I'll help you and said every time you do that I will pinch you and he pinched me almost every day I still didn't stop as a matter of fact I'm sucking on it while I'm typing this paragraph. I also get pick on at school but that not what I care about its my teeth. what helps me is to chew gum but I can't buy that everyday because I'm just a kid sure my mother could buy me some but she doesn't like to waste money.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Lol, so many people. Anyway, I started this habit soon after I was born. My parents tried to get me to stop, even to an extent of putting chilly on my tongue so I wouldn't push it back in. But the tongue has its own powerful mind :)
So I want to stop this because first my gap in the front has parted even more, at one time I had a lisp. But luckily it's gone. But now my teeth have gone even further out of my mouth. And my jaw has now shifted to the left. Now the teeth aren't corresponding with the lower and upper part. Like where the canines have their own spot at the bottom. And also now all the sucking has caused my nose to make strange sounds. Like a chirping bird, or a pen clicking. It is so annoying and loud. You can hear it in a room even if there's noise.
I really want to stop because soon I'll get my braces and all this research has shown me that it won't help. So any advice would be nice.
Besides that, I can't believe there are so many people with this habit. I also have the habit of smelling things. Like once I hit my finger on the door, and it had this blood clot smell. Which I liked very much, now I always put my finger near my nose. Even though it's gone.
And also the touching something soft for the pleasure, but I stroke my ear.

Help would be nice.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 20 and also having the same problem, sometimes i get too carried away and when someone spots me it feels soo embarassing. I also touch my belly button sometimes when i suck my tongue. I really want τ̅o stop this, Iτ̅s so uncool!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 20 and also having the same problem, sometimes i get too carried away and when someone spots me it feels soo embarassing. I also touch my belly button sometimes when i suck my tongue. I really want τ̅o stop this, Iτ̅s so uncool!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
its okay I have the same habit Im14 and my teeth have pushing out  since I was 3 years old. Its hard to stop because your so use to it.Now I struggle to stop because I'm going to get my braces.
But just know that your now the only one.
Helpful - 0
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