What is Tongue Posture and What Role Does it Play? image
FAQ Topic
What is Tongue Posture and What Role Does it Play?
graphic for What is Tongue Posture and What Role Does it Play? When the tongue is where it's supposed to be, the airway is open and the teeth and bite are in balance. This supports proper craniofacial development, orthodontic alignment, and breathing.

The tongue should rest fully in the palate, occupying the entire oral cavity and should not spill over onto teeth. Try creating a suction with the whole tongue to see if yours has the palatal space and strength needed to maintain proper tongue posture!

Without enough room in the roof of the mouth, the tongue will have difficulty staying up in the palate. Without strength, tone, dissociation and mobility, the tongue will also struggle to position properly. One example of tongue mobility is freedom from the floor of the mouth - if the tongue is tied (even a "deep tie" that isn't as easy to detect), this can restrict the tongue from proper position and function.

The tongue should rest up in the palate at all times of day and night when not eating, drinking, or speaking. Proper tongue posture is key for optimal development and function of the orofacial structures, including the airway. A low tongue due to a tongue-tie or poor tongue posture can press against the airway while at rest, leading to snoring and other issues like restless sleep, chronic fatigue or even ADHD and bed-wetting in kids. A CBCT scan may be a useful way to validate your airway size and tongue posture, and a sleep study can help determine if your low tongue posture is affecting you or your child's quality of air and rest.

Talk to one of our specialists today to find out why your tongue may not be able to maintain proper resting posture.