Ask the Expert: 5 Things You Didn’t Know Your Tongue Posture Affects

A Q&A with Milwaukee’s Only Certified Orofacial Myologist

When most parents think about tongue posture, they think about speech—or maybe tongue ties. But tongue posture is far more influential than most people realize. It affects breathing, chewing, swallowing, sleep, dental development, jaw growth, and even behavior and attention.

To help parents understand the importance of tongue posture, we consulted Milwaukee’s only Certified Orofacial Myologist—a leading expert trained in using evidence-based approaches to identify and treat Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs).

If you've ever wondered “Does tongue posture really make that big of a difference?” or if you’ve been searching for Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Wisconsin services or an OMD specialist Mequon, this Q&A will give you the clarity you need.

Q1: What Exactly Is Tongue Posture, and Why Is It Important?

Expert Answer: Tongue posture refers to where the tongue rests when your child is not talking or eating. Ideally, the tongue should rest gently against the palate (roof of the mouth), with lips closed and nasal breathing.

Most parents are surprised to learn that the tongue rests in this posture about 23 hours per day. That means poor tongue posture—such as resting low in the mouth or pushing against the teeth—can dramatically influence the way a child’s mouth, airway, and face develop.

A low-rest tongue posture is one of the defining signs of an OMD (Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder). This is why families often seek help from a Certified Orofacial Myologist Milwaukee or an OMD specialist Mequon, especially when we notice mouth breathing, snoring, unclear speech, or difficulty chewing.

Q2: How Does Tongue Posture Affect Speech Development?

Expert Answer: Tongue posture plays a major role in how clearly a child can produce sounds. When the tongue rests low or moves inefficiently, it affects sounds like S, Z, SH, CH, J, and L. Many parents assume a lisp or unclear speech is just an articulation problem—but it often reflects deeper oral muscle patterns.

Here’s what poor tongue posture can cause:

• A frontal lisp from tongue thrust

• Difficulty stabilizing the tongue for complex sounds

• Limited tongue elevation due to weakness or restriction

• Compensatory jaw movements

• Reduced clarity in longer sentences

What’s important to understand is that articulation drills alone cannot fix speech issues rooted in an OMD. The tongue must learn proper resting posture, strength, and coordination. That’s why many speech therapists collaborate with a Certified Orofacial Myologist Milwaukee or provide Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Wisconsin to address the root cause—not just the sound errors.

Q3: How Does Tongue Posture Influence Dental and Facial Development?

Expert Answer: The tongue is a natural growth guide for the face. When it rests on the palate, it encourages wide, healthy jaw development. When it rests low or forward, the palate narrows, teeth crowd, and the face grows long rather than wide.

Poor tongue posture can lead to:

• A narrow palate

• Crowded teeth

• High palate that restricts nasal airflow

• Open bite or overjet

• Forward head posture

• A long, narrow facial structure (“adenoid face”)

Parents are often shocked to learn that orthodontic relapse—teeth shifting back after braces—happens frequently when tongue posture is not corrected. Braces can straighten teeth, but they cannot stop harmful oral habits.

This is why orthodontists in Wisconsin increasingly refer families to professionals providing Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Wisconsin, especially when we suspect an OMD that may impact long-term outcomes.

Q4: How Does Tongue Posture Affect Breathing and Sleep?

Expert Answer: Tongue posture is directly tied to airway health. When the tongue rests low in the mouth, it cannot support nasal breathing. This leads to mouth breathing, which contributes to:

• Snoring

• Dry mouth

• Restless sleep

• Sleep-disordered breathing

• Bedwetting

• ADHD-like symptoms

• Daytime fatigue

• Poor emotional regulation

The tongue resting on the palate helps stabilize the airway. When it drops, the airway becomes more collapsible—especially during sleep.

Poor sleep quality can have a profound impact on focus, behavior, emotional control, and learning. Many families come to an OMD specialist Mequon after noticing behavioral or attention difficulties that originated from underlying airway dysfunction.

Correcting tongue posture through myofunctional therapy helps restore nasal breathing, which improves sleep and daytime functioning.

Q5: How Does Tongue Posture Influence Feeding and Swallowing?

Expert Answer: Healthy chewing and swallowing depend on the tongue’s ability to elevate, move food efficiently, and create a proper swallow. Poor tongue posture often results in:

• Tongue thrust

• Messy eating

• Overstuffing the mouth

• Gagging on certain textures

• Slow chewing

• Picky eating

• Difficulty transitioning from soft to harder foods

• Open-mouth chewing

• Excessive drooling

A correct swallow pattern uses the tongue—not the facial muscles—to move food backward. When the tongue does not function properly, children use compensations like:

• Lip pursing

• Jaw thrusting

• Facial grimacing

• Head tilting

These patterns contribute to fatigue, reduced variety in foods, and even digestive discomfort.

Parents seeking help with feeding challenges often discover that the root issue is an OMD, so they begin therapy with an OMD specialist Mequon or a provider offering Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Wisconsin.

Why Parents Should Seek a Certified Orofacial Myologist

A Certified Orofacial Myologist undergoes advanced training far beyond what most clinicians receive. We are uniquely qualified to assess:

• Tongue posture

• Breathing patterns

• Airway function

• Chewing coordination

• Swallowing mechanics

• Habit patterns

• Oral structural concerns

Working with a Certified Orofacial Myologist Milwaukee ensures your child receives accurate diagnosis, individualized treatment, and coordinated care with ENTs, dentists, orthodontists, and speech therapists.

Why Tongue Posture Matters More Than Ever

Tongue posture influences everything from speech clarity to facial growth to sleep. It’s a foundational part of your child’s development, and addressing it early can prevent:

• Orthodontic complications

• Airway and breathing issues

• Persistent articulation errors

• Feeding difficulties

• Long-term oral habits

• Sleep challenges that affect behavior and learning

Parents who understand the impact of tongue posture can make informed decisions about when to seek evaluation and which specialists to consult.

Support Is Available

If your child shows signs of an oral habit, speech concern, mouth breathing, sleep issues, or difficulty chewing, they may benefit from assessment by a Certified Orofacial Myologist Milwaukee or a clinic offering Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy Wisconsin.

Understanding and improving tongue posture isn't just about the mouth—it's about supporting your child's overall health, development, and confidence.