Exploring Low Tongue Resting Posture
Exploring Low Tongue Resting Posture: Implications for Airway, Sleep, and Oral Health
Low tongue resting posture is a condition where the tongue sits lower in the mouth than normal, often leading to a range of complications including airway obstruction, sleep disturbances, and oral health issues. Understanding this condition is critical for effective diagnosis and treatment.
Defining low tongue resting posture
Low tongue resting posture refers to habitual positioning of the tongue low in the mouth, typically resting on or between the teeth instead of the upper palate. This improper positioning can affect breathing, sleep, speech, and dental health.
Impact and Symptomatology of Low Tongue Resting Posture
- Mouth Breathing: Low posturing predisposes individuals to parted lips, resulting in a habitual preference for breathing through the mouth.
- Airway Obstruction: A low resting tongue can contribute to obstructed airways, leading to breathing difficulties especially during sleep.
- Speech and Swallowing Issues: Altered tongue posture can affect articulation and the mechanics of swallowing as these functions require optimal muscle tone and coordination.
- Dental Health Concerns: Impacts on facial and cranial growth can lead to malocclusion, improper jaw development, and increased risk of cavities due to mouth breathing.
Contributing factors of low tongue resting posture include:
- Habitual Patterns: Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use during childhood.
- Anatomical Factors: Such as a short lingual frenulum (tongue-tie) limiting tongue movement and range of motion for proper placement.
- Allergies and Nasal Congestion: Leading to chronic mouth breathing.
- Neuromuscular Issues: Affecting the strength, control, and coordination of tongue muscles.
Diagnosis and Treatment: A Whole-Patient Approach
Successful evaluation of low tongue resting posture and its impact on overall health involves careful consideration of medical history, functional limitations, and relevant symptoms. Assessment and treatment are provided by an interdisciplinary team and include:
- Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy: Exercises to retrain the tongue to rest in the proper position, to improve muscle function and encourage nasal breathing.
- Sleep Study: To evaluate for sleep apnea or other sleep-related breathing disorders.
- Dental Assessment and Intervention: Identifying disruptions to craniofacial development. Providing orthodontic treatments to correct malocclusion and support proper jaw and facial development.
- Behavior Modification: Addressing and altering habits contributing to low tongue posture.
BreatheWorks’ Integrated Care Approach
BreatheWorks is dedicated to whole-patient care, recognizing the complex interplay between structure, function, and habitual patterning. Our strategy includes:
- Whole-Patient Assessment: Conducted by a Speech-Language Pathologist, we take a detailed case history to get a clear picture of your body’s story and assess the function of the speech, swallowing, and breathing mechanisms. We will observe how the muscles perform tasks like speaking, chewing, swallowing, clearing your teeth, and breathing and identify the contributing factors that may relate to your symptoms.
- Individualized Care Plans: Focusing on the specific implications of low tongue posture for each patient.
- Collaborative Care: Working with dentists, ENT specialists, and sleep experts to address the widespread impacts of tongue positioning on overall health.
- Patient Education: Providing patients about the importance of proper tongue posture and its impact on overall health.
- Regular Follow Ups and Monitoring: Tracking progress and ensuring the generalization of skills to all functional contexts.
Get Started Today by Implementing These Preventive and Management Strategies:
- Early Intervention: Addressing factors like thumb sucking and mouth breathing in children past the age of 1 years old.
- Promoting Nasal Breathing: Through environmental control of allergens and nasal hygiene.
Conclusion
Low tongue resting posture can have far-reaching effects on airway health, sleep quality, oral health, and speech. A multidisciplinary approach involving orofacial myofunctional therapy, dental interventions, and lifestyle modifications is essential for effective management. Addressing tongue resting posture can promote nasal breathing, proper craniofacial development, and contribute to overall health and well-being.
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Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD)
Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD) refer to a group of conditions characterized by abnormal patterns of muscle function and incorrect habits involving the face, mouth, and throat. These disorders can affect various aspects of oral function, including speech, swallowing, breathing, and facial development. Examples of OMD include tongue thrust (where the tongue pushes against or between the teeth during swallowing or at rest), open mouth posture (habitual mouth breathing with the mouth consistently open), and incorrect tongue resting position. OMD can contribute to dental malocclusions, speech articulation difficulties, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and other orofacial issues.Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT or MYO)
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) is a specialized form of therapy designed to address and correct Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD). It focuses on retraining the muscles of the face, mouth, and throat to achieve proper resting posture, swallowing patterns, and speech articulation. OMT involves a variety of exercises, techniques, and behavioral modifications tailored to the individual’s specific needs and goals. The goals of OMT include improving orofacial muscle strength and coordination, correcting abnormal swallowing patterns, promoting nasal breathing, and enhancing overall oral function and health. OMT is typically provided by speech-language pathologists or therapists trained in orofacial myofunctional therapy techniques.Benefits of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT)
Orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT) can be highly beneficial for individuals with Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMD). By addressing underlying muscle dysfunction and promoting proper oral habits, OMT can help improve speech clarity, correct swallowing patterns, alleviate breathing difficulties, and optimize facial development. However, the effectiveness of OMT depends on various factors, including the severity of the OMD, the individual’s commitment to therapy, and consistency in practicing exercises and techniques. OMT is often recommended as part of a comprehensive treatment plan in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as dentists, orthodontists, and ENT specialists, especially when addressing complex orofacial issues.We hold space in our clinicians’ schedules for new patients because we know that early intervention is the best approach. We like to see new patients in less than 2 weeks and typically schedule phase one treatments during the first visit. We can see you virtually or in person. Get started now.