The position of the tongue can affect the alignment of the teeth. Unconsciously pushing the front teeth with the tongue or placing it in the wrong position can cause the teeth to shift. We looked into the correct tongue position that helps maintain proper dental alignment.

 

◇Incorrect tongue posture can lead to malocclusion

 

Incorrect tongue positioning can cause malocclusion. Malocclusion refers to a condition where the upper and lower teeth do not align properly and the teeth are not straight. In a normal person, the upper teeth cover the outside of the lower teeth, but in patients with malocclusion, this is not the case. Improper alignment of the teeth causes discomfort when eating and leads to jaw joint pain. They are unable to tear noodles with their teeth and experience muscle stiffness around the temporomandibular joint when chewing food.

Teeth maintain proper alignment when the forces exerted by the cheeks and lips toward the teeth (outward to inward) and the force of the tongue positioned inside the mouth (inward to outward) are balanced. However, if the tongue is misplaced, it can either fail to block the forces of the cheeks and lips on the teeth or push the teeth outward, disrupting the dental alignment. Additionally, habits of pushing the teeth with the tip of the tongue can cause the teeth to protrude outward. In particular, when the tongue pushes the lower teeth forward, it can lead to a prognathic jaw. The habit of sticking the tongue out when swallowing also creates gaps between the upper and lower teeth.

 

It should gently touch the palate.

 

The correct tongue position is to place the tongue on the palate with the mouth closed, keeping a gap between the upper and lower teeth. However, the tip of the tongue should not touch the front teeth. The body of the tongue should lightly touch the palate, and the tip should be positioned on the gums of the lower front teeth or below them. When swallowing saliva or food, the tip of the tongue should be pressed against the inside of the upper front teeth on the palate.

 

People with a tongue that hangs down should practice lifting their tongue with gum. Roll gum into a ball in your mouth, then press the gum against the roof of your mouth with your tongue, and repeat widening the gum attached to the roof of your mouth with your tongue. Practice can also be done without using gum. Simply press the roof of your mouth with your tongue for about 10 seconds, then release the pressure, and repeat the process.

 

============

Depending on the position of the tongue

Are your teeth crooked?

I need to properly inform the children.

 

They say it's one of the blessings of teeth.

It should be even.

Maybe because of chewing, your gums also become healthier.