If hypnosis is proposed to help your child “position their tongue correctly”, first ask what assessment showed and how the result will be checked. Our references do not support presenting hypnosis as a technique that independently corrects tongue posture, swallowing or tooth alignment.
Assessment should precede the choice of technique
A tongue visible between the teeth, a frequently open mouth and swallowing discomfort are different observations. They do not automatically justify the same approach. Assessment should identify the function concerned and any associated care needed.
If the child has difficulty breathing through the nose, start with medical advice. Studies associate mouth breathing with certain dentofacial features without demonstrating that a retraining or supportive technique removes an obstruction. Zhao et al., 2021
What distinguishes support from retraining a function?
A supportive approach may aim to change how a child experiences a session or engages in an activity. Functional retraining, meanwhile, should define and evaluate a movement, posture or sequence to work on.
These goals should remain explicit. A session the child enjoys does not by itself establish a change in swallowing. Dental change requires an appropriate examination, not just an impression that the child is more relaxed.
The professional should explain what is expected from hypnosis, exercises and any appliance without attributing the unmeasured results of one to another.
What can studies in children tell us?
A pilot trial in 22 children with open bite and atypical swallowing observed improved strength and some posture measures after myofunctional therapy. This was not a hypnosis study, and it showed no improvement in speech articulation. Van Dyck et al., 2016
The review by Koletsi and colleagues considers some early approaches promising but highlights the questionable quality of evidence. It does not provide an individual guarantee or establish that a technique will avoid orthodontics. Koletsi et al., 2018
Our evidence file contains no high-quality clinical comparison demonstrating a specific benefit of hypnosis for these tongue outcomes. Claiming such superiority would exceed the available data.
Useful questions for parents
- Which specific difficulty was identified in my child?
- Why is this approach proposed at their age?
- What happens if my child does not want to participate or feels uncomfortable?
- Which exercises should be repeated at home, and how can we check them?
- What observable change is expected, and when will it be checked?
The child should be able to express discomfort or confusion. Follow-up can remain simple: a clear instruction, a supportive adult and an appointment to correct misunderstandings.
Where might a tongue appliance fit?
An appliance should not be chosen because it is associated with a method described as new. Its indication, size and instructions must suit the child. Devices studied in functional education were used under professional supervision; this does not validate buying one without assessment. Amat and Tran Lu Y, 2023
The guide to tongue retraining in children covers the complete pathway. You can also prepare for the appointment using our printable tracking sheet.
Sources and method
- Zhao et al., 2021. Mouth breathing and dentofacial development: a review of observational studies.
- Van Dyck et al., 2016. Pilot trial in 22 children with anterior open bite.
- Koletsi et al., 2018. Early treatment and myofunctional therapy in children.
- Amat and Tran Lu Y, 2023. Prefabricated appliance-assisted rehabilitation: systematic review.
Written by: Dr Vladimir Khourda, a dentist who no longer practises. Informational content updated on 1 October 2026 using the references cited. It does not replace an individual assessment.