Q: What is tongue posture?
A: Tongue posture refers to where the tongue rests when you’re not speaking or eating.
- Ideal tongue posture: Tongue gently suctioned to the roof of the mouth (palate), lips closed, teeth slightly apart, breathing through the nose.
- Poor tongue posture: Tongue low in the mouth, between the teeth, or resting forward, often linked with mouth breathing.
Q: How does tongue posture affect breathing?
A:
- Proper tongue posture supports nasal breathing by keeping the airway open.
- Low tongue posture is linked with chronic mouth breathing, which can dry the airway, reduce oxygen exchange, and increase snoring or sleep apnea risk.
Q: How does tongue posture impact sleep?
A:
- Tongue resting on the palate helps prevent airway collapse at night.
- Low tongue posture increases the risk of snoring remedies, restless sleep, and sleep-disordered breathing.
- Children with poor posture may develop narrow palates and smaller airways, raising lifelong sleep concerns.
Q: How does tongue posture affect orthodontic stability?
A: The tongue acts like a natural retainer. When it rests against the palate:
- It widens and stabilizes the dental arch.
- It reduces risk of orthodontic relapse after braces.
- It prevents open bite and tongue thrust swallowing.
Poor posture allows teeth to shift back, undoing orthodontic work.
Q: What causes poor tongue posture?
A: Common causes include:
- Mouth breathing due to allergies, congestion, or enlarged tonsils/adenoids
- Tongue tie restricting tongue mobility
- Oral habits (thumb sucking, pacifier use)
- Weak oral muscles or poor oral rest habits
- Forward head posture
Q: How does therapy help improve tongue posture?
A: At BreatheWorks, therapy includes:
- Oral rest posture training: Tongue up, lips closed, teeth apart
- Tongue mobility drills: Lifts, lateralization, and suction holds
- Breathing retraining: Restoring nasal breathing
- Swallow retraining: Eliminating tongue thrust and building stability
- Habit elimination: Replacing thumb sucking, pacifier use, or clenching
- Collaboration with dentists, orthodontists, and ENTs to ensure long-term success
Q: Can tongue posture therapy be done virtually?
A: Yes. Telehealth therapy includes:
- Live assessments of tongue rest and swallow patterns
- Real-time coaching of posture and breathing exercises
- Progress tracking for both children and adults
This makes care accessible nationwide.
Q: Where do you provide in-person care?
A:
- Portland, Oregon
- Eugene, Oregon
- Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Bellevue, Washington
- Amarillo, Texas
We also offer virtual therapy across the U.S.
Quick FAQs
Can tongue posture affect facial growth? Yes—low posture can lead to narrow palate, long face, and orthodontic relapse.
Does tongue posture matter for adults? Yes—poor posture contributes to TMJ pain, obstructive sleep apnea, and dental instability.
Can tongue tie cause low tongue posture? Yes—restricted movement keeps the tongue low and forward.
Can therapy fix tongue posture? Yes—therapy retrains tongue, lips, and breathing for lasting results.
Next Steps
If poor tongue posture is affecting your breathing, sleep, or orthodontic results, therapy can help restore balance and stability.
- Schedule a tongue posture evaluation (in-person or virtual)
- Providers: Refer a patient for therapy
