Strengthening the tongue is useful only when strength work serves an identified goal. Swallowing discomfort, tongue posture or snoring alone does not prove tongue weakness. Assessment distinguishes strength, mobility and coordination before suitable exercises are chosen.
Strength, mobility and coordination: three different goals
Strength is the ability to produce pressure in a given task. Mobility describes the movements available. Coordination is the organisation of movement during a function. These dimensions may be worked on separately or together depending on the assessment.
Pressing harder therefore does not automatically make a movement more precise. An exercise may instead aim to recognise a reference point rather than increase strength. Ask which criterion justifies the proposed programme.
What research actually measures
In a pilot trial involving 22 children with open bite and atypical swallowing, myofunctional therapy improved elevation strength and several tongue-posture measures. This finding is limited to a small group and a complete programme. It does not prove that a commercial appliance will have the same effect for every user. Van Dyck et al., 2016
Systematic reviews of retraining in orthodontics continue to highlight methodological limitations. They do not turn “more strength” into a promise of tooth alignment or guaranteed stability. Homem et al., 2014
How should resistance work be supervised?
If a strength exercise is selected, instructions should specify the contact point, direction, intensity and repetitions. The professional checks your movement before asking you to repeat it at home.
- Use the indicated equipment and follow its instructions.
- Do not replace resistance equipment with an improvised object in the mouth.
- Do not try to increase the load to achieve maximum fatigue.
- Stop the movement if you experience pain, irritation or unusual discomfort.
- Have difficulties checked before changing the programme yourself.
Useful details to record appear in the printable tracking guide.
Strengthening the tongue for better sleep?
Myofunctional therapy for sleep combines mouth and throat exercises. The Cochrane review reports a probable reduction in adult sleepiness and varying certainty for other outcomes. These are specific programmes, not a single strengthening exercise. Cochrane, 2020
This work must not replace sleep assessment or prescribed treatment. To understand results and limitations, see tongue strengthening and sleep apnoea.
What role does MyoTrain have, and how can progress be tracked?
MyoTrain is a device for tongue exercises. Show it to the professional to check that it matches the intended movement and your programme's instructions. An accessory's price or appearance does not determine its individual indication.
At review, compare your practice with the initial goal: precision, ability to reproduce the movement or a measurement selected by the professional. Feeling that you are “working hard” is insufficient. To organise this evaluation, read exercise duration, frequency and effectiveness.
Sources and method
- Van Dyck et al., 2016. Pilot trial in 22 children with anterior open bite.
- Homem et al., 2014. Systematic review of myofunctional therapy in orthodontics.
- Rueda et al., Cochrane, 2020. Oropharyngeal exercises and obstructive sleep apnoea.
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.