Proper Tongue Resting Position: Why It Matters More Than You Think.
- Tracey Coulter
- Jan 2
- 3 min read
When most people think about oral health, they focus on brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits. However, one often overlooked factor that plays a crucial role in overall oral and facial health is proper tongue resting position. How your tongue rests throughout the day—and night—can significantly impact breathing, speech, jaw alignment, and even facial development.
What Is Proper Tongue Resting Position?
Proper tongue resting position refers to where your tongue naturally sits when you are not speaking, eating, or swallowing. Ideally:
The entire tongue rests gently against the roof of the mouth (palate)
The tip of the tongue sits just behind the upper front teeth (without touching them)
Teeth are lightly together or slightly apart
Lips are closed
Breathing occurs through the nose
This position should be maintained unconsciously for most of the day and during sleep.
Why Is Proper Tongue Resting Position Important?
Maintaining correct tongue posture is essential for both children and adults. Poor tongue posture—such as resting the tongue low in the mouth or pushing against the teeth—can contribute to a range of issues.
1. Supports Proper Jaw and Facial Development
In children, correct tongue placement helps guide normal jaw growth and facial development. Improper posture can contribute to narrow dental arches, crowding, and bite issues.
2. Improves Breathing and Airway Health
A tongue that rests low in the mouth can fall back into the airway, increasing the risk of mouth breathing, snoring, and sleep-disordered breathing. Proper tongue posture supports nasal breathing and a healthier airway.
3. Helps Prevent Dental Problems
Incorrect tongue posture may contribute to orthodontic relapse, open bites, overbites, and spacing issues—even after braces. The tongue is a powerful muscle, and its constant pressure can shift teeth over time.
4. Enhances Speech and Swallowing
The tongue plays a key role in speech clarity and proper swallowing patterns. Poor resting posture often goes hand in hand with tongue thrusting, speech difficulties, and inefficient swallowing.
5. Reduces Jaw and Muscle Tension
Improper tongue posture can strain the jaw, neck, and facial muscles, sometimes contributing to headaches, jaw pain, or TMJ discomfort.
Signs You May Have Improper Tongue Posture
You may benefit from professional support if you notice:
Mouth breathing (day or night)
Snoring or sleep issues
Tongue thrust when swallowing
Crowded or shifting teeth
Jaw pain or tension
Speech difficulties
Difficulty maintaining lips closed at rest
How Myofunctional Therapy Can Help
Correcting tongue posture isn’t just about awareness—it often requires guided retraining of the muscles of the face, tongue, and mouth. This is where orofacial myofunctional therapy comes in.
Myofunctional therapy uses targeted exercises and techniques to:
Retrain proper tongue resting position
Improve nasal breathing
Establish correct swallowing patterns
Support orthodontic and dental treatments
Promote long-term oral and airway health
Where to Find Solutions in Brantford
If you’re looking for professional support with tongue posture and oral function, help is available locally. Brantford Myofunctional Therapy offers personalized myofunctional therapy programs for both children and adults.
Final Thoughts
Proper tongue resting position may seem like a small detail, but its impact on oral health, breathing, and overall well-being is significant. Whether you’re a parent concerned about your child’s development or an adult experiencing jaw, breathing, or dental concerns, addressing tongue posture can be a powerful step toward better health.
If you’re unsure whether your tongue posture is optimal, a myofunctional assessment can provide clarity—and a clear path forward.
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