No, the 1997 2.0 sohc. Ford escort is Not a interference engine. It is a Freewheeling type. Interference refers to the non-ability of the engine to freewheel out of valve time. Interference engines DO cause damage if the timing belt breaks.
As a pediatrician this is a common concern I hear from parents of newborns. Sticking your tongue out is better known as tongue protrusion. It is when the tongue sticks out beyond the lip border for all to see. Since tongue protrusion is one of the Characteristics of Down syndrome, new parents often ask,
constant sticking out the the tongue out and in. My Golden Retriever has just recently started to stick her tongue out and in, she does not do in when she she is resting and she does not seem to be in any form of stress. She is normal in every other aspect.