Is Your Tongue Resting in the Proper Position?

The muscles throughout your body form a delicate network. When one muscle is not functioning as it should, it can adversely affect nearby structures. The tongue is no exception to this rule. Although it is a relatively small muscle, it can cause a range of problems if it does not rest in the proper position. Dr. Preetha Thomas, a holistic dentist in Southlake, is here to discuss how your tongue should rest, how you can identify signs of an improper tongue resting position, and what you can do to correct problems with tongue positioning.

Proper Tongue Positioning

When your mouth is at rest, your tongue should be against the roof of your mouth, but it should not be pressing against any of your teeth. Your teeth should be slightly apart, and your lips should be closed. Deviations from this positioning can contribute to problems like jaw and neck pain, shifting teeth, breathing difficulties, and more.

Is Your Tongue in the Proper Place?

The above description should give you a fair idea of whether your tongue is in the right place. However, if you still aren’t sure, you can evaluate yourself for the following signs and symptoms, all of which indicate a possible problem with your tongue’s resting position.

• Poor posture
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Obstructive sleep apnea (periods of not breathing during sleep due to tissues blocking the upper airway)
• Habitual mouth breathing
• An elongated facial shape
• Misaligned teeth (for example, if your tongue rests too far forward, it can press against the front teeth and cause a gap between them)
• Pain in your jaw joint

Correcting Improper Tongue Positioning

If your tongue is resting in an improper position, you may not be able to correct the issue on your own. Dr. Thomas will be pleased to help you. She can evaluate your oral health and your resting tongue position and then recommend an appropriate course of action. She might advise that you undergo:

• Orthodontic treatment. An ALF appliance may be able to correct the positioning of your jaw and teeth, thereby helping your tongue to rest in the correct place.
• A frenectomy. In some cases, improper tongue positioning is caused by tongue tie, a condition that limits the tongue’s range of motion. A frenectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that frees up the tongue.
• Myofunctional therapy. Dr. Thomas may refer you to a myofunctional therapist, who can introduce you to exercises that will train your tongue to rest in the right position.

Is your tongue in the right place? If you suspect that it is not, Dr. Thomas is ready to help you correct the problem and enjoy improved oral and overall health.

 Meet Dr. Thomas

Dr. Preetha Thomas is an experienced dentist with advanced training in orthodontics, laser dentistry, and more. She focuses on providing conservative treatments that promote her patients’ oral and overall well-being. If you have questions about proper tongue positioning or anything else that relates to your oral structures, she would be happy to consult with you. Contact Enclave Dental at 817-912-1218.