Lip and Tongue Posture

The resting postures and functional patterns of the mouth, face, head and neck may disrupt normal dental and skeletal development which may also influence full body posture. The orofacial complex should be a rest the majority of the time and it is these resting patterns which influence the functional patterns.  Good resting posture of the complex is believed to be the front two thirds of the tongue elevated into the upper arch not touching the front teeth, lips together and teeth slightly apart or light contact.

Tooth movement is understood to occur with light continuous force of a minimum of six hours a day. It is widely known and accepted that controlled continuous forces of orthodontic appliances (braces) can move teeth. MyoDynamics is interested in the link between body harmony, tooth alignment and related resting postures and in turn functional patterns of the tongue and lips.

Just as the controlled continuous forces of orthodontic appliances (braces) can move teeth, abnormal postures and functions in the oral cavity can contribute to the development of dental malocclusions such as incorrectly positioned teeth, an improper bite relationship or other problems related to oral or facial muscle dysfunction or a malformation of the bones of the dental arches. Adverse resting postures and functional patterns of the lips and tongue may include:

MyoDynamics therapists can provide care to help guide an individual to improve their resting postures and functional patterns, they can work closely with other healthcare workers such as dentists to achieve the best outcome for the individual.