2 Minute Tongue Exercises & Mouth Games

Proper tongue posture means the tongue should rest gently on the roof of the mouth instead of pushing against the teeth.

The tongue is one of the strongest muscles in the body, and most people do not realize how much influence it has on the teeth, jaws, airway, and facial development. We swallow hundreds to thousands of times every day. Every time we swallow, pressure is created inside the mouth. If the tongue pushes against the teeth instead of resting on the roof of the mouth, that repeated pressure can slowly move the teeth into unhealthy positions over time.

At My Orange County Orthodontist, Dr. Pejman Nasibi emphasizes that orthodontics is about more than just straight teeth. Tongue posture, breathing habits, swallowing patterns, and oral muscle function all play an important role in long-term orthodontic stability.

Yes. Poor tongue posture can absolutely move teeth over time.

Many patients are surprised to learn that light pressure applied repeatedly over long periods can shift teeth. When the tongue pushes against the front teeth or side teeth during swallowing, speaking, or resting, it can slowly create spacing, bite problems, or orthodontic relapse.

Front gaps between teeth are commonly associated with tongue thrust habits, while side spacing may occur depending on where the tongue places pressure inside the mouth.

Dr. Nasibi often explains to patients that the tongue can work against braces or Invisalign if unhealthy habits are not corrected. Even if orthodontic forces straighten the teeth, improper tongue posture can continue pushing the teeth out of alignment after treatment.

Yes. Tongue posture may play a major role in jaw development and facial growth.

When the tongue properly rests on the roof of the mouth, it may help support healthy development of the upper jaw, also called the maxilla. The tongue acts as a natural support system for the palate and upper arch during growth and development.

However, when the tongue rests low in the mouth instead of on the palate, the upper jaw may not develop as ideally. In some patients, this can contribute to narrow arches, crowding, bite problems, airway concerns, or a longer facial appearance.

Dr. Nasibi also explains that poor tongue posture may affect how the lower jaw develops and positions itself. In some cases, low tongue posture may prevent the lower jaw from moving and developing properly.

Yes. Poor tongue posture is one of the most common reasons orthodontic relapse can occur after braces or Invisalign treatment.

“Braces or Invisalign are your workout. Tongue posture is your diet. Both are equally important.”

Orthodontic treatment moves the teeth into healthier positions, but if the tongue continues pushing against the teeth after treatment, the teeth may slowly begin shifting again over time.

Dr. Nasibi has seen many patients successfully improve tongue posture during treatment, only to later stop maintaining those habits. Over time, teeth may slowly begin spacing or shifting again, especially in the front teeth.

This is why long-term habit correction is critical for orthodontic stability.

Tongue thrust occurs when the tongue pushes against or between the teeth during swallowing, speaking, or resting.

Tongue thrust habits may contribute to:

• Open bites
• Spacing between teeth
• Orthodontic relapse
• Improper swallowing patterns
• Bite problems
• Speech concerns

One of the most common bite problems associated with tongue thrust is an anterior open bite, where the front teeth do not properly touch together.

Yes. Tongue thrust is one of the most common causes of open bite.

When the tongue repeatedly pushes against the front teeth during swallowing or resting, it can prevent the front teeth from erupting or positioning correctly. Over time, this repeated pressure may create a space between the upper and lower front teeth.

In many patients, braces or Invisalign alone may not fully stabilize the bite unless tongue posture and swallowing habits are also addressed.

Absolutely. Adults can improve tongue posture and oral habits.

However, success depends heavily on awareness, consistency, and motivation. Like any habit change, correcting tongue posture takes repetition and commitment.

Some patients improve tongue posture within a few weeks or months, while others may take six months to a year or longer. Every patient is different. The speed of improvement often depends on consistency, awareness, commitment, and how badly the patient wants to correct the habit.

Dr. Nasibi often tells patients:

“I do not give up on tongue posture unless the patient tells me they do not want to work on it.”

Many patients initially say:

“I can’t do it.”

However, Dr. Nasibi continues encouraging and guiding them because he believes healthy oral habits can improve with awareness, repetition, consistency, and motivation.

Yes. Tongue posture may affect airway health and breathing patterns.

Many patients with low tongue posture also struggle with mouth breathing, airway constriction, or poor nasal breathing habits. When the tongue rests low in the mouth, it may contribute to reduced oral space and airway narrowing in some patients.

Many mouth-breathing patients also experience:

• Dry mouth
• Poor sleep quality
• Snoring
• Fatigue
• Allergies
• Asthma-related concerns
• Poor oral development

Healthy tongue posture may help support better nasal breathing and improved oral muscle balance.

For Dr. Pejman Nasibi, tongue posture is not just an orthodontic topic. It has become a personal and professional mission.

Over more than 20 years in orthodontics, Dr. Nasibi has treated thousands of children, teens, and adults and has repeatedly seen how poor tongue posture, tongue thrust habits, mouth breathing, and airway issues can affect long-term orthodontic stability, facial development, and overall oral health.

What makes this even more personal is that tongue posture issues have also affected Dr. Nasibi’s own family. Two of his four children have struggled with tongue posture concerns. One has experienced asthma and allergies, while another has also dealt with allergies and airway-related challenges.

Many patients tell Dr. Nasibi:

“No doctor or dentist has ever explained this to me before.”

Unfortunately, Dr. Nasibi has also seen many patients who needed braces multiple times because the underlying tongue posture habits were never corrected. Some patients have gone through orthodontic treatment three or four times over their lifetime, only to experience spacing, bite changes, or orthodontic relapse again because the tongue continued pushing against the teeth.

In more severe cases, Dr. Nasibi has even seen patients who underwent jaw surgery or complex orthodontic treatment but later experienced relapse because tongue posture and oral habits were never properly addressed.

Every day in the office, Dr. Nasibi continues educating patients and families about:

• Tongue posture
• Tongue thrust habits
• Mouth breathing
• Airway awareness
• Nasal breathing
• Orthodontic relapse prevention
• Oral habit correction
• Long-term smile stability

Because of these experiences, Dr. Nasibi created Tongue Up Club™ and the 2 Minute Mouth Games to help children and adults become more aware of healthy oral habits in a fun, simple, and practical way.

Yes. Poor tongue posture is one of the most common reasons orthodontic relapse can occur after braces or Invisalign treatment.

“Braces or Invisalign are your workout. Tongue posture is your diet. Both are equally important.”

Orthodontic treatment moves the teeth into healthier positions, but if the tongue continues pushing against the teeth after treatment, the teeth may slowly begin shifting again over time.

Dr. Pejman Nasibi has seen many patients successfully improve tongue posture during treatment, only to later stop maintaining those habits. Over time, teeth may slowly begin spacing or shifting again, especially in the front teeth.

Unfortunately, Dr. Nasibi has also seen many patients who needed braces or Invisalign multiple times because the underlying tongue posture habits were never corrected.

Some patients have gone through orthodontic treatment three or four different times over their lifetime because the tongue continued pushing against the teeth every day.

This is why long-term habit correction is critical for orthodontic stability.

Learn more about Invisalign treatment in Anaheim Hills .

Yes. Tongue posture may affect airway health and breathing patterns.

Many patients with low tongue posture also struggle with mouth breathing, airway constriction, or poor nasal breathing habits. When the tongue rests low in the mouth, it may contribute to reduced oral space and airway narrowing in some patients.

Many mouth-breathing patients also experience:

• Dry mouth
• Poor sleep quality
• Snoring
• Fatigue
• Allergies
• Asthma-related concerns
• Poor oral development

Healthy tongue posture may help support better nasal breathing and improved oral muscle balance.

Learn more about our advanced airway-focused orthodontic evaluations using 3D CBCT imaging and digital orthodontic technology .

Many children with mouth breathing and poor tongue posture may also develop nighttime grinding habits. Learn more about teeth grinding in children .

One common reason some patients require orthodontic treatment multiple times is because the underlying oral habits were never corrected.

Dr. Nasibi has seen many patients who previously had braces or Invisalign but later experienced spacing, crowding, open bite, or orthodontic relapse because tongue posture and tongue thrust habits continued after treatment.

In some cases, patients may go through orthodontic treatment three or four different times over their lifetime because the tongue continues pushing against the teeth every day.

Orthodontics can align teeth, but if the tongue continues creating pressure against the teeth during swallowing, speaking, or resting, the teeth may slowly begin moving again over time.

This is why Dr. Nasibi believes long-term orthodontic stability often requires awareness of tongue posture, breathing habits, oral muscle function, and swallowing patterns.

Explore our braces treatment options in Anaheim Hills .

Absolutely. Adults can improve tongue posture and oral habits.

However, success depends heavily on awareness, consistency, and motivation. Like any habit change, correcting tongue posture takes repetition and commitment.

Some patients improve tongue posture within a few weeks or months, while others may take six months to a year or longer. Every patient is different. The speed of improvement often depends on consistency, awareness, commitment, and how badly the patient wants to correct the habit.

Dr. Nasibi often tells patients:

“I do not give up on tongue posture unless the patient tells me they do not want to work on it.”

Many patients initially say:

“I can’t do it.”

However, Dr. Nasibi continues encouraging and guiding them because he believes healthy oral habits can improve with awareness, repetition, consistency, and motivation.

If you are concerned about tongue posture, tongue thrust, mouth breathing, or orthodontic relapse, schedule a free orthodontic consultation with Dr. Nasibi in Anaheim Hills.

One of the biggest differences at My Orange County Orthodontist is that Dr. Pejman Nasibi genuinely cares about the long-term outcome of every patient’s treatment.

For Dr. Nasibi, orthodontics is not simply about straightening teeth for a short-term cosmetic result. His goal is to help patients achieve healthy, functional, stable, and beautiful smiles that can last for many years.

Over more than 20 years in orthodontics, Dr. Nasibi has seen many patients who completed braces or Invisalign treatment elsewhere but later experienced orthodontic relapse, spacing, bite changes, airway concerns, or oral habit issues because the underlying causes were never properly addressed.

This is why Dr. Nasibi spends significant time educating patients and families about tongue posture, tongue thrust habits, mouth breathing, airway awareness, swallowing patterns, and long-term orthodontic stability.

Dr. Nasibi takes tremendous pride in helping patients improve not only their smiles, but also their oral awareness, confidence, breathing habits, and long-term dental health.

At My Orange County Orthodontist, patients are personally treated by Dr. Nasibi throughout their smile journey, with care focused on honesty, education, long-term stability, and genuinely caring about every patient’s outcome.

Learn more about Dr. Pejman Nasibi and My Orange County Orthodontist in Anaheim Hills.