What does it mean when a child plays with their tongue?
Apr 17, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
A child playing with their tongue may be caused by neurological development, teething, hunger, indigestion, Tourette syndrome, or other medical conditions. Targeted treatment can be provided accordingly. In addition, it could also result from congenital hypothyroidism. It is recommended that patients seek timely consultation at a reputable hospital to identify the cause and receive appropriate treatment.
Children playing with their tongues may be caused by neurological development, teething, hunger, indigestion, Tourette syndrome, or other medical factors, which can be treated accordingly. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Neurological Development
As pregnancy progresses, children's neurological functions gradually mature, and they may use their tongues to explore the surrounding environment, resulting in tongue-playing behavior. This is a normal physiological phenomenon.
2. Teething Stage
When babies are teething, they often experience significant discomfort in the gums, leading them to unconsciously rub or scratch the gums, which may appear as if they are playing with their tongues.
3. Hunger
In daily life, if parents fail to feed children timely, the child may be overly hungry, resulting in tongue-playing behavior. This is a normal physiological response; when extremely hungry, children may continuously suck their tongues and become irritable or cry. Parents should cultivate good eating habits in children and avoid letting them go hungry.
4. Indigestion
Overeating may cause indigestion, with excessive food accumulating in the intestines and failing to be digested and absorbed in time. Treatment may include medications such as Bifidobacterium Tri-Live Bacteria Powder, Bacillus Subtilis Di-Live Bacteria Granules, or Lactasin Tablets, as directed by a physician.
5. Tourette Syndrome
Tongue-playing behavior may be caused by Tourette syndrome, which leads to dysfunction in brain control. Medications such as Haloperidol Tablets, Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride Tablets, or Risperidone Tablets may be used under a doctor's guidance.
In addition, congenital hypothyroidism may also be a possible cause. It is recommended that patients promptly visit a regular hospital for diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment after identifying the specific cause.
