Tongue retraining exercises do not all have the same goal. Some work on a resting position, others on the precision of a movement or a step in swallowing. Choosing a useful exercise starts with identifying the function that needs attention. This guide explains the main types of exercise and how to prepare for clear, manageable practice at home.
Start with a specific goal
“Position my tongue better” is still a broad goal. An assessment can turn it into something observable: finding a light contact at a point you have been shown, moving the tongue without excessive jaw movement, or repeating a swallowing sequence practised during an appointment.
Research on myofunctional therapy in orthodontics remains limited. A systematic review highlights the lack of consistent studies that would allow benefits to be predicted for each patient. This makes assessment and checking the movement more useful than a universal exercise list. Homem et al., 2014
Four types of exercise to distinguish
1. Observing resting posture
A mirror can help you understand an instruction and notice associated tension. Your professional will show you a reference point suited to your anatomy. The aim is not to push against the teeth or hold a constant contraction. Read our guide to tongue resting position.
2. Mobility and precision
Work may focus on a specific movement, elevation or point of contact. A larger range of motion is not automatically progress. What matters is the quality of the chosen movement and being able to repeat it without discomfort.
3. Strength, when assessment identifies it as a goal
Resistance work needs clear instructions about the equipment, direction, intensity and duration. These details cannot be inferred from a video. A pilot trial in children measured improved tongue elevation strength, but it does not support recommending the same load for everyone. Van Dyck et al., 2016
4. Coordination during swallowing
A movement performed successfully on its own may require further learning when used within a function. The professional chooses the stages and practice situations. Swallowing difficulty, choking episodes or pain should not be managed with a generic exercise found online.
How to organise practice at home
Ask for a demonstration, then repeat the movement in front of the professional. Clarify what you should feel, see or avoid. A short written instruction is often easier to follow than a long sequence of poorly remembered movements.
- Prepare the equipment you have been asked to use and a place where you can concentrate.
- Follow the number of repetitions and schedule set for you.
- Note discomfort, unusual fatigue or instructions you find unclear.
- Bring these observations to your next appointment.
Avoid making the next session twice as intense to compensate for a missed one. If the programme does not fit your daily routine, ask for it to be adapted. Our guide to exercise duration and frequency can help you prepare that discussion.
What role can an exercise device play?
A tool may be suggested for a specific movement. It does not determine the indication or the right resistance for you. The product instructions and your professional's guidance remain the basis for its use.
MyoTrain is the tongue exercise device in the Myoforce catalogue. To establish whether it fits your programme, show the product to the professional supporting you. Do not transfer a protocol designed for a different device without checking.
How to tell whether an exercise is useful
Compare the result with the initial goal: do you understand the movement better, repeat it more accurately and use it in the intended situation? Feeling tired does not, by itself, demonstrate a benefit.
Orthodontic, breathing and sleep outcomes require their own assessment. The oropharyngeal exercises studied in sleep apnoea involve specific programmes and do not justify stopping prescribed treatment. Cochrane review, 2020
For an organised starting point, use our printable preparation and follow-up guide.
Sources and approach
- Homem et al., 2014. Systematic review of myofunctional therapy in orthodontics.
- Van Dyck et al., 2016. Pilot trial in 22 children with anterior open bite.
- Rueda et al., Cochrane, 2020. Myofunctional therapy for obstructive sleep apnoea.
Written by Dr Vladimir Khourda, a dentist who is no longer practising. Updated on 1 October 2026 using the references cited. This information does not replace an individual assessment.