O is for Orofacial Function

But why should we care anyway if we have the correct oral resting posture? For babies and children, the posture of the tongue is a critical force guiding growth and development. The tongue’s continuous gentle pressure on the palate helps to grow the dental arches and contribute to proper jaw growth. When the tongue sits low, we often see a narrow palate instead of wide. This is also important because the roof of the mouth is the floor of the nose. A broader palate will then contribute to more space for air to flow through the nasal passages. Low tongue posture is a major contributor to mouth breathing, which deserves its own post entirely. Mouth breathing can lead to poor oral health, sleep issues, and structural issues if not corrected.