For Orthodontic Patients in Naebalsan-dong Dental Clinic: Must-Read on Tongue Position and the Effects of Mewing on the Face and Orthodontic Treatment

Hello, this is Lee Su-gyeong, a specialist in integrated dentistry who works in collaboration with an orthodontic specialist at a dental clinic in Naebalsan-dong.

When people are considering orthodontic treatment or are already undergoing it,

what they usually pay the most attention to is

'what type of appliance is used' or 'how long treatment will take.'

But there is one more key factor that many people surprisingly overlook.

It is the 'position of the tongue,' which applies force to the teeth 24 hours a day inside the mouth.

Depending on where we usually place our tongue, our facial silhouette may change slightly,

and it can even determine how long the carefully completed treatment result lasts.

The recently popular 'Mewing' exercise online is also,

in the end, a process of finding this 'correct tongue position.'

Today, we will take a closer look at proper tongue position, known as a hidden helper in orthodontic treatment, and the Mewing exercise that helps make it a habit.

Naebalsan-dong Dental Clinic Oral Information

1. The correct tongue position: Remember the butterfly shape

Where should our tongue normally be? The answer is the 'roof of the mouth (palate).'

The tip of the tongue should not touch the upper teeth, and the whole tongue should rest broadly against the palate, starting from behind the raised area of the palate (the incisive papilla).

Unlike when the tongue hangs down low or pushes against the front teeth,

in the correct position, the entire tongue supports the roof of the mouth without touching the teeth.

When the tongue drops downward, it can lead to mouth breathing,

which may cause the face to look longer or the jawline to become less defined.

On the other hand, when the tongue properly supports the palate, it helps widen the maxilla, or upper jaw, sideways,

and especially in children and adolescents, it helps secure space for the teeth to align.

Naebalsan-dong Dental Clinic Oral Information

2. Mewing exercise: Training for the tongue

This exercise, proposed by British orthodontist Dr. Mike Mew, is simple. It is a way to make keeping the tongue in the correct position a habit through 'conscious training.'

1. Close the lips lightly and keep the upper and lower teeth slightly apart so they do not touch.

2. Place the tip of the tongue on the raised area of the palate just behind the upper front teeth.

3. Lift the tongue so that not only the front part but also the back part feels as if it is attached to the entire palate.

4. While maintaining the above three conditions, breathe naturally through the nose.

Naebalsan-dong Dental Clinic Oral Information

3. Why Mewing is important for orthodontic patients

Mewing is an exercise that positions the tongue correctly against the roof of the mouth,

and through this, it naturally guides the oral muscles and jawbones into the proper position.

During orthodontic treatment, the teeth move and the jaw and facial structure change,

so the tongue and oral muscles must maintain the correct position for the treatment results to remain stable and last longer.

If you practice Mewing consistently, as mentioned earlier, in the case of children and adolescents,

it can naturally expand the upper jaw and help secure space for tooth alignment.

Also, even in adults, it helps prevent mouth breathing and has a positive effect on maintaining balance in the jawline and facial contour.

Therefore, orthodontic patients should not simply undergo tooth alignment alone,

but also combine oral muscle training such as Mewing to achieve the best aesthetic and functional results.

Naebalsan-dong Dental Clinic Oral Information

4. Important precautions that must be followed

The most important thing to be careful about when doing Mewing is 'not pushing the teeth.'

If you become too eager and strongly push the front teeth with your tongue, it may instead cause protruding teeth.

Also, be careful not to clench hard by putting too much force on the temporomandibular joint.

The key to Mewing is not strong force, but 'consistency in the correct position.' A small habit can change your impression and improve the quality of orthodontic treatment.

Starting today, why not check the inside of your mouth often and begin practicing how to help the tongue find its proper place?

This has been Lee Su-gyeong from Naebalsan-dong Dental Clinic.

Thank you :)