Oral function: understanding the tongue and oral habits
Oral function involves the way the tongue, lips and oral habits contribute to how the mouth works. Care may involve working with a professional, exercises and, in some situations, an appliance. An assessment comes first: the same symptom does not always point to the same need.
Understand the function before choosing an appliance
Resting posture, swallowing and sucking habits are among the factors assessed. Resting pressure from the tongue and lips contributes to the balance of forces around the teeth. This does not mean that the tongue alone explains tooth movement, or that a prefabricated appliance can correct it. Proffit, 1978: the theoretical framework of dental equilibrium.
Three different approaches
| Approach | Purpose | Starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Tongue rehabilitation | Work on an identified function or habit | Assessment and an individualized program |
| Protection related to bruxism | Place an appliance between the teeth | Dental examination and appliance selection |
| Orthodontic retention | Maintain tooth positions after treatment | The orthodontist’s instructions and follow-up |
A night guard, a tongue appliance and a retainer are therefore not interchangeable. See our guide to dental appliances.
What the research supports
Reviews of orofacial myofunctional therapy describe encouraging findings in some situations, while noting the shortage of high-quality studies. Trials of prefabricated appliances in children involve professional prescription and follow-up. They do not establish the effectiveness of buying an appliance online without an assessment. Homem et al., 2014; Papageorgiou et al., 2019.
MyoForce appliances
Myoforce, listed at €50, is a prefabricated molded tongue appliance. MyoTrain, listed at €20, is an appliance for tongue exercises. MyoProtect, listed at €90, is a dual-layer night guard made from a dental impression. Selection depends on the intended use and the instructions for each appliance.
Find the guide you need
- Tongue rehabilitation for adults and children
- Understanding children’s oral habits
- Mouth breathing: questions to ask
- Understanding bruxism
- Understanding orthodontic retainers
Have a question about an appliance’s features? Contact MyoForce.