Q: What is “oral rest posture”?
A: Oral rest posture is how your mouth sits when you’re not eating or talking. The healthy pattern is: lips gently sealed, tongue resting on the palate (roof of the mouth), teeth slightly apart, and nasal breathing. This “default setting” supports airway function, facial growth, and dental stability.
Q: Why does oral rest posture matter?
A: Because posture is a habit that acts all day and night. Healthy oral rest posture helps to:
- Promote nasal breathing (filtering, humidifying, warming air; better sleep quality)
- Support facial growth in kids (wider palate, room for teeth)
- Reduce orthodontic relapse (muscles help keep teeth where braces put them)
- Ease TMJ strain & neck tension (less clenching and forward-head posture)
- Improve swallowing & speech (efficient tongue position and movement)
Q: What does poor oral rest posture look like?
A: Common signs include:
- Mouth open at rest; lips parted
- Low tongue posture (tongue on floor of mouth)
- Forward head/rounded shoulders to open the airway
- Teeth touching/clenching or jaw tension
- Dry mouth, snoring, drooling, or bad breath
- Dental crowding/relapse after braces; narrow palate
Q: What causes poor oral rest posture?
A: Often a mix of:
- Nasal obstruction (allergies, enlarged tonsils/adenoids, deviated septum)
- Oral restrictions (tongue tie limiting elevation)
- Mouth-breathing habit from early colds/congestion
- Low muscle tone of lips, tongue, jaw
- Prolonged oral habits (pacifier, thumb, bottle)
- Screen-time posture (head forward, lips parted)
Q: How do you evaluate oral rest posture?
A: At BreatheWorks, we assess: airway and nasal patency, lip seal, tongue-to-palate contact, swallow pattern (looking for tongue thrust), jaw stability, sleep and feeding history, plus posture from head to ribs. We coordinate with ENTs, dentists/orthodontists, pediatricians, lactation specialists, naturopaths, MDs/DOs as needed.
Q: Can oral rest posture be fixed? What’s the step-by-step plan?
A: Yes—most people improve with a structured program:
- Clear the nose: Daily nasal hygiene (saline, humidification); medical allergy care via your provider.
- Establish lip seal: Gentle lip-closure drills; habit reminders for closed lips at rest.
- Lift the tongue: Palate “suction hold” practice; targeted tongue-elevation and lateralization drills.
- Stabilize the jaw: Teeth lightly apart at rest; isometric support exercises.
- Correct the swallow: Replace tongue thrust with a palate-first sequence.
- Reinforce during life: Cues for reading, screens, homework, commuting, and sleep.
- Address contributors: ENT for obstruction, dental/ortho for arch development/retention, tongue-tie evaluation when appropriate.
Good news: Our telehealth program delivers the same exercises, coaching, and outcomes as in-person care.
Q: What simple exercises help?
A: Programs are individualized, but common starters include:
- Palate Post “Suction Hold”: Gently suction the whole tongue to the palate, lips closed, nasal breathe 5–10 quiet breaths; repeat sets through the day.
- Lip Seal Sets: Close lips softly (no chin strain) for 10–20 seconds; rest; repeat 5–10x.
- Nasal Priming: Diaphragmatic nasal breathing in a relaxed posture, 2–5 minutes, several times daily.
- “Teeth Apart” Cueing: Place a reminder dot on screens or water bottle: lips together, teeth apart, tongue up.
(Always perform after an evaluation to ensure safety and correct sequencing.)
Q: What are the benefits for kids vs. adults?
A:
- Kids: Better nasal breathing, improved palate width and space for teeth, fewer open-mouth habits, calmer sleep and daytime focus, more stable orthodontic results.
- Adults: Less jaw clenching, fewer morning headaches, improved sleep quality, reduced neck/shoulder tension, better long-term dental/ortho stability.
Q: When should providers refer for oral rest posture therapy?
A: Refer to BreatheWorks when you see:
- Persistent mouth-open posture or habitual snoring
- Orthodontic relapse, narrow arch, crossbite, or tongue thrust swallow
- TMJ head pain, bruxism teeth grinding, or chronic neck/shoulder tension
- Feeding/chewing fatigue, drooling, or poor lip seal
- Suspected tongue tie ankyloglossia or low tongue-to-palate contact
We co-manage care with ENTs (airway), orthodontists/dentists (arch development/retention), pediatricians (growth/behavior), and lactation specialists (infant feeding and tongue function).
Q: Do you offer virtual care?
A: Yes. We provide virtual evaluations and teletherapy with the same protocols, demonstrations, and progress tracking as our in-person sessions—ideal for busy families and patients outside our clinic neighborhoods.
Q: Do you serve my area?
A: In-person clinics are in:
- Portland, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Bellevue, Washington
- Amarillo, Texas
We also offer virtual care so patients nationwide can access the same expertise and results.
Quick FAQs
What is the correct oral rest posture? Lips closed, tongue on the palate, teeth slightly apart, nasal breathing.
Can posture alone cause orthodontic relapse?
Muscle habits heavily influence tooth position; poor posture increases relapse risk.
Does improving tongue posture help sleep? Often yes—palatal tongue rest supports nasal breathing and a more stable airway.
How long until I see changes? With consistent therapy and home practice, many see improvements in 4–8 weeks, with continued gains over 3–6 months.
Next Steps
Ready to reset your (or your child’s) oral rest posture—step by step?
- Schedule an oral rest posture evaluation (in-person or virtual)
- Providers: Refer a patient to BreatheWorks
