‘Bad posture’ tends to make you think of slumped shoulders or ‘tech neck,’ problematic positions that strain your muscles and trigger pain.
But there’s another type of posture you may never have considered – your tongue posture. The tongue is also part of the musculoskeletal system and its habitual position affects your health too.
What is tongue posture?
Tongue posture refers to the natural resting position of your tongue inside your mouth. Ideally, your tongue should rest lightly against the roof of your mouth, with the tip of the tongue positioned just behind your upper front teeth but not touching them.
Correct tongue posture isn’t about forceful pressure. Instead, it’s a gentle, effortless connection with the palate, supporting breathing, speech and swallowing without you even thinking about it.
Why is correct tongue posture important?
Your physiotherapist would probably encourage you to sit up straight at your desk to reduce the risk of back pain. Similarly, your dentist or doctor may encourage you to maintain good tongue posture to reduce the risk of other health issues.
When your tongue rests lightly against the roof of your mouth, it
- Supports your airway, encouraging you to breathe naturally through your nose rather than your mouth.
- Guides the proper growth of your teeth and jaw, especially during the crucial childhood and adolescent years.
- Assists clear speech and smooth swallowing, taking pressure off the muscles that work hard every time you talk, eat, or even smile.
Much like good posture at a desk prevents backaches, good tongue posture silently protects your health every day.
What are the risks of incorrect tongue posture?
When the tongue droops low in the mouth or pushes against the teeth, you’re more likely to experience problems with:
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Mouth breathing: In the short-term, this can dry out oral tissues and raise the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. There are many long-term issues linked with mouth breathing, such as Sleep Apnoea.
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Speech: You’re more likely to lisp and may find it harder to articulate words clearly.
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Teeth and jaw alignment: These can shift out of balance, often requiring expensive orthodontic care to correct.
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Sleep disturbances: Your airway is more likely to collapse, triggering sleep apnoea or other problems.
- Jaw development: This can potentially alter your facial structure and cause TMJ-related pain.
What are the benefits of proper tongue posture?
When your tongue rests where it should:
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Nasal breathing happens, helping oxygen flow freely throughout your body.
Speech becomes clearer, giving both children and adults a strong voice to express themselves.
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Muscles in the face, jaw, and neck relax, easing the daily strain that often goes unnoticed until it causes pain.
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Dental arches stay supported, keeping teeth neatly aligned without unnecessary pressure.
- Sleep quality can improve, as nasal breathing reduces the chances of snoring or airway blockages.
Training your tongue to rest properly is a lifelong investment in breathing easier, speaking confidently, sleeping soundly, and smiling naturally.
Understanding the differences between correct tongue posture and mewing
Recently, there’s been considerable online buzz about mewing. This technique involves flattening your tongue against the roof of your mouth. The pressure supposedly reshapes your jawline to improve your appearance.
Mewing involves creating deliberate pressure from the tongue – in contrast, correct tongue posture exerts gentle pressure only.
That gentle pressure may influence healthy jaw development in kids by inducing the natural expansion of the maxilla, helping to prevent future orthodontic problems.
Correct tongue posture can also help to improve swallowing and speech and maintain your airways when sleeping.
Take the first step towards better breathing and oral health
Your tongue may be small, but it's posture holds the key to many important underlying issues that affect your overall health.
If your tongue isn’t resting where it should, you can train it to rest in the proper place. That’s where we come in.
Small spots, big difference
The Myospots Tongue Exercise Spots are small, dissolvable, adhesive pads that stick to the roof of your mouth. You lift your tongue to touch the spot and it stays there, resting in the right position, over the next 45 minutes or so while the spot slowly dissolves. It’s an ideal way to train your tongue into good habits.
Myospots are popular with children too – indeed, they can be a much easier option than other maxillofacial therapy exercises.
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Explore the Myospots range today and discover how these small spots could make a big difference to your life.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
