Why Your Child’s Tongue Position Could Be Affecting Their Health

Why Your Child’s Tongue Position Could Be Affecting Their Health

As parents, we always want the best for our children, but one small detail often goes unnoticed, tongue posture. Believe it or not, the way your child’s tongue naturally rests in their mouth can significantly impact their health more than you might think. From breathing patterns and facial development to speech and orthodontic needs, tongue posture plays a vital role in your child’s growth.

At Family Holistic Dentistry, we take a comprehensive approach to your child’s oral health, which includes paying close attention to how their tongue rests. Let’s dive into why tongue posture matters and how it can affect your child’s overall well-being.

What is Tongue Posture, and Why Does it Matter?

Tongue posture refers to where your child’s tongue sits when their mouth rests. Ideally, it should rest gently on the roof of their mouth, just behind the front teeth. This position encourages healthy nasal breathing and proper jaw development and helps prevent issues like crowded teeth.

Correct tongue position.  Image courtesy of @stopchasingpain

However, if the tongue sits at the bottom of the mouth or presses against the teeth, it can lead to several problems over time. Poor tongue posture is often linked to mouth breathing, speech difficulties, and improper swallowing patterns, which can negatively impact a child’s overall health and development.

The Role of Tongue Posture in Development

One of the main functions of the tongue is to support proper jaw and facial development. When the tongue rests on the roof of the mouth, it helps expand the upper jaw, guiding it to grow correctly. On the other hand, when the tongue isn’t in the correct position, the upper jaw can become narrow and V-shaped, leading to crowded teeth and even bite misalignment.

Children with poor tongue posture are also more likely to develop mouth-breathing habits. Mouth breathing can cause many problems, from more frequent colds and dry mouth to sleep-disordered breathing like sleep apnea. Studies have shown that poor sleep quality due to mouth breathing can affect a child’s focus and behavior, sometimes mimicking symptoms of ADHD.(Study: Sleep Difficulties and Symptoms of Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children with Mouth Breathing)

Tongue posture is also closely tied to speech and swallowing Children with incorrect tongue posture may have trouble pronouncing certain sounds, such as “S” or “Z.” They may also develop a habit called tongue thrusting, where the tongue pushes against the teeth during swallowing. Over time, this can further affect dental alignment and make speech issues more pronounced.

How to Spot Poor Tongue Posture in Your Child

Image of a child with a tongue thrust.  Image from Best Speech:  What is tongue thrust and how to stop it?

As a parent, there are several signs you can watch for if you’re concerned about your child’s tongue posture. These include:

• Mouth breathing (especially during sleep)

• Snoring or noisy breathing at night

• Crowded teeth or a narrow upper jaw

• Frequent tongue thrusting while swallowing

• Speech difficulties or mispronunciation of certain sounds

If you notice any of these signs, don’t worry — some solutions can help correct your child’s tongue posture and support healthy development.

Myofunctional Therapy: A Non-Invasive Solution

One of the most effective ways to address poor tongue posture is through myofunctional therapy. This therapy consists of simple exercises designed to retrain the muscles of the face, tongue, and mouth to function correctly. The goal is to encourage correct tongue placement, promote nasal breathing, and develop healthier swallowing habits.

Myofunctional therapy is a non-invasive and highly beneficial approach that can help your child avoid more severe issues later in life, such as the need for extensive orthodontic treatment. Early intervention improves breathing and speech and supports proper facial growth.

How Our Airway-Focused Dentistry Can Help

An ALF Appliance delivered at Family Holistic Dentistry

At Family Holistic Dentistry, we take an airway-focused approach to your child’s oral health. In addition to myofunctional therapy, we may recommend orthodontic solutions, such as the ALF appliance, to help expand the upper jaw and create more space for the tongue to rest correctly. This type of treatment promotes healthy growth and can improve breathing, reduce sleep problems, and support long-term health.

By addressing tongue posture and airway health early, we can help your child thrive in terms of oral development and overall wellness.

Simple Tips for Encouraging Healthy Tongue Posture

As a parent, there are a few simple things you can do to encourage good tongue posture in your child:

• Encourage nasal breathing by gently reminding them to keep their mouth closed during the day.

• Teach them the correct tongue position by asking them to say the letter “N” and feel where their tongue rests.

• Keep your child hydrated, as a dry mouth can worsen poor tongue posture.

• Pay attention to their sleep habits. If you notice snoring or mouth breathing during sleep, consider scheduling an evaluation to check their airway health.

Final Thoughts

Small details like tongue posture could impact your child’s health and development. There are options to address these issues early . If you’re concerned about your child’s tongue posture or have noticed any signs of airway issues, we’re here to help. Schedule an evaluation with Family Holistic Dentistry today, and together, we’ll support your child’s long-term wellness.