Final answer:
Tongue-thrusting is a habit that can lead to malocclusion, where the tongue pressing against the teeth disrupts their alignment, often requiring orthodontic correction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tongue-thrusting is a habit that results in a malocclusion, or improper alignment of the teeth. This condition arises when the tongue continuously presses against the teeth, which can push them out of place. The process of deglutition, or swallowing, involves the tongue raising the hyoid bone and pressing against the roof of the mouth to move food back into the pharynx. When this action becomes habitual outside of swallowing, it can contribute to dental issues. For instance, how a frog captures its prey by rapidly extending its sticky tongue and snapping it back to throw food down its throat during deglutition is an effective natural mechanism. However, in humans, repetitive tongue-thrusting can lead to malocclusion, which may require orthodontic treatments to correct.