The tongue is resting against the front teeth, resting low in the floor of the mouth. When the tongue rests on the roof of the mouth, the tongue is not visible between the teeth. The front teeth are flared forward, creating an open bite. This is common with an anterior tongue thrust swallow pattern. The tongue pushes forward against the front teeth.

The tongue is resting on top of the lower front teeth, pushing against the front teeth and the side teeth. This often causes spaces to open between the teeth on either side. This is termed a lateral tongue thrust swallow pattern. In this case, the patient has both an anterior and lateral tongue thrust swallow.

Top front teeth are flared out and forward. Tongue is resting on the floor of the mouth.

The tongue is resting on the palate and not visible between the front teeth. Notice the edges of the top front teeth are overlapping the lower front teeth apx. 2 mm. Spaces between the lateral incisors are closing up.

The tongue is resting on the palate and not visible between the front teeth. The edges of the top front teeth are overlapping the lower front teeth apx. 2-3 mm. The top front teeth are straightening. The spaces between the upper/lateral incisors are closing.

The tongue is resting on the palate and not visible between the front teeth. The edges of the top front teeth are overlapping the lower front teeth apx. 2-3 mm. The top front teeth are straightening. The spaces between the upper/lower lateral incisors are closing.

The tongue is resting on the palate and not visible between the front teeth. Notice the edges of the top front teeth are overlapping the lower front teeth apx. 3-4 mm. The front teeth are much straighter. The spaces between the upper/lower lateral incisors are almost closed. The lower teeth are aligning towards the midline.

The tongue is resting on the palate and not visible between the front teeth. The edges of the top front teeth are overlapping the lower front teeth apx. 3-4 mm. The top front teeth are straightening. The spaces between the upper/lower lateral incisors are closing.

The tongue is resting on the palate and not visible between the front teeth. The edges of the top front teeth are overlapping the lower front teeth apx. 3-4 mm. The top front teeth are straightening. The spaces between the upper/lower lateral incisors are almost closed.

The tongue is resting on the palate and not visible between the front teeth. Notice the edges of the top front teeth are overlapping the lower front teeth apx. 3-4 mm. The front teeth are much straighter. The spaces between the upper/lower lateral incisors are almost closed. The lower teeth are aligning towards the midline.

The tongue is resting on the palate and not visible between the front teeth. The spaces between the upper/lower lateral incisors continue to close. This is a mixed set of teeth (mixed dentition). The different sizes of primary and permanent teeth may also create space. Once the orthodontic process begins, and the permanent teeth erupt, this space on the side will close.

The tongue is resting on the palate and not visible between the front teeth. The spaces between the upper/lower lateral incisors continue to close. The upper front teeth continue to align slightly over the lower front teeth.