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How to heal to the correct tongue position? How to heal as an adult.
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How to heal to the correct tongue position? How to heal as an adult.

Patient.
Patient.

Teacher! Is it true that the tongue has a correct position?

dentist
dentist

Yes, I am aware of it. It is usually hard to notice because we are not aware of it, but there is a correct position for the tongue.
This time,Here are some tips on the correct position of the tongue and how to fix it in the correct position!

What is the correct position of the tongue?

Correct position of the tongue How to fix it Adult

What is the correct position of the tongue?The tip of the tongue is behind the upper front teeth and the entire tongue is attached to the maxillaIt is.

People who do not have their tongue in the correct position often do not have it attached to the maxilla, resulting in a "lowered tongue" (teiyeze).

Some people also have a tongue protrusion habit, in which the tongue protrudes between the upper and lower teeth.

The main cause is the inability to lift the tongue upward and keep it in the correct position due to problems with the alignment of the teeth, the lingual band, or weakness of the muscles around the mouth and tongue.

What happens if the tongue is not in the correct position?

Correct position of the tongue How to fix it Adult

If the tongue is not in the correct position,The following problems may occur

  • Deterioration of teeth/retrogression after orthodontic treatment
  • Loss of muscle tone in the tongue
  • mouth breathing

Deterioration of teeth/retrogression after orthodontic treatment

If the tongue is not in the correct position,It can push teeth out of alignment and inhibit jaw development.

Also, if the tongue is not in the correct position after orthodontic treatment to realign the teeth, abnormal forces may be exerted on the teeth by the tongue, causing retroversion.

Loss of muscle tone in the tongue

When the muscular strength of the tongue decreases,The ability to chew and swallow food is reduced.

As the ability to chew and swallow food decreases, the mouth is not moved, which can lead to facial sagging and distortion.

Also,Poor tongue movement can also lead to poor speech and gliding.

mouth breathing

People whose tongues are not in the correct position are often mouth breathers.

Mouth breathing isDeterioration of dental alignment, snoring, apnea, dry mouth, weakened immune system, etc.It is said to cause many problems in

Tips for correct tongue position as an adult.

Correct position of the tongue How to fix it Adult

The cause of the inability to place the tongue in the correct position is,

  • Insufficient muscle strength in the tongue
  • set of teeth
  • Shortening of the lingual frenulum (*1), etc.

It varies and depends on the individual.

Adults who wish to improve their tongue position on their own can do so by

  • If caused by a lack of muscle strength in the tongue
    • Tongue training to place the tongue in the correct position.
    • Be conscious of placing the tongue in the correct position on a regular basis.
  • If the teeth are aligned
    • orthodontic treatment
  • Shortening of the velopharyngeal band
    • Tonsillectomy(*2)

*1: This is a shortening of the thick stripe on the back of the tongue (lingual frenulum). This congenital abnormality is characterized by a heart-shaped tongue when the tongue is protruded or raised upward.

*2: The procedure involves cutting the lingual frenulum to increase the range of motion of the tongue.

Even adults can do it! How to train your tongue to be in the correct position

Correct position of the tongue How to fix it Adult

If trying to keep the tongue in the correct position is tiring and difficult, tongue training is recommended.

Tongue training includes the following

  • tongue-twister training
  • popping
  • Aiyobe Gymnastics

tongue-twister training

With your mouth closed, trace around the front side of the teeth with your tongue.

It is effective if done three times a day, with one set of 20 right-handed rotations and one set of 20 left-handed rotations.

popping

Bring the tongue to the correct position and suck on the maxilla.

While slowly opening your mouth, release the tongue that has been sucked onto the maxilla and make a "popping" sound.

It is recommended to do 15 times a day.

Aiyobe Gymnastics

Pronounce the words "a, y, u" with large mouth movements.

Then, push the tongue forward as far as you can and pronounce "bae" to complete the process.

Do the exercises three times a day, morning, noon, and night, 10 times each, saying "A, I, U, Be.

Self-check for correct tongue position

Correct position of the tongue How to fix it Adult

Since the tongue is unconsciously positioned, it is difficult to know where it is usually placed.

Check your tongue to make sure it is in the correct position by performing a self-check.

Check by tongue position

Where is your tongue when you close your mouth?

  1. The entire tongue is attached to the maxilla.
  2. The tip of the tongue is between the upper and lower teeth
  3. Tongue not attached to the maxilla at all

A person whose "entire tongue is attached to the upper jaw" is one whose tongue is in the correct position.

Otherwise, the tongue is most likely not in the correct position.

Swallow spit to confirm.

If you are not sure about the position of your tongue when you close your mouth,Look in a mirror at the position of the tongue when swallowing spit.

  1. Open your mouth with a snap, and place the upper and lower teeth in a meshing position.
  2. Swallow your spit as it is and check in the mirror how your tongue moves.

When swallowing spit,

  • People whose tongues protrude from the gap between the upper and lower teeth.
  • People whose tongues hit their teeth.

is possible that the tongue is not in the correct position.

Check with gum

How to check the position of the tongue by how it forms when the gum is pressed against the maxillaIt is.

  1. Chew gum to soften.
  2. Form the gum into a round shape using your tongue.
  3. Crush the rolled gum by pressing it against the upper jaw to see how it sticks to the upper jaw.

The shape of the gum crushed by the tongue,If it becomes a slightly horseshoe-shaped, long horizontal oval, it is likely that the tongue is kept in the correct position.It is.

  • I can't arrange the gum in a round shape.
  • Can't press gum to maxilla.
  • Gum sticks to front teeth.
  • Gum pressed against the maxilla becomes vertical.

In these cases, the tongue is often not in the correct position.

summary

Correct position of the tongue How to fix it Adult

The correct position of the tongue is to rest entirely on the maxilla, with the tip resting on the back of the upper front teeth.It is.

People who cannot keep their tongues in the correct position are more prone to deterioration of teeth alignment, retroversion after orthodontic treatment, and loss of mouth function due to weakness of the tongue muscles.

Mouth breathing may also cause many problems such as snoring, apnea, dry mouth, and a weakened immune system.

If the tongue is not in the correct position, tongue training is performed,Make a conscious effort to place your tongue in the correct position.

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Graduated from Nagasaki University School of Dentistry, ~2018 Kyushu Medical Center, 2018-present Working at a dental clinic in Tokyo

UyRZkXPjQvAn5BK9ai6vfhAEgYGCePrS3Id158EZKuev 2TIlSXaZPkxY9dJ 3vCTCm7hqIEw6AzmlpdiuMD8H 9aD01UftplKrgMtn7dmYeSupervisor: Dentist/Naomi

After completing clinical training, worked in cosmetic dentistry in Tokyo. Currently a dentist and dental writer.