Do you know how to look at what the tongue is saying?
Did you know it talks to you?
If you’re a therapist working in the world of feeding, oral motor issues, or want to be, you need to stop your scroll and read this!!
First, find a mirror and stick out your tongue. Is there a deep fissure down the middle of your tongue? That could be an indication that there is a posterior tongue tie pulling downward on your tongue muscle.
Have you noticed a notch at the tip of your tongue? (It makes your tongue almost look heart-shaped.) This can be caused by body tension, an anterior or posterior tongue tie! Tongue ties lead to extra tension in the body, so it is possible to have both a tongue tie and body tension, which could make the notch even more pronounced.
Are there scallops around the edges of your tongue? (It looks like indents along the side or all the way around, giving it a rippled appearance) This may indicate several different issues such as you are clenching or grinding your teeth, that the palate isn’t broad enough to house your tongue, sleep disordered breathing, or even TMJD.
Is there a coating on your tongue? If so, this can indicate poor oral resting posture. When the tongue is low in the mouth, it allows for bacteria, food debris, and dead cells to accumulate on the tongue.
These are just a few crucial pieces that can take your practice to the next level. When you learn how to identify the root cause behind the issue and treat that, your patients will soar!
If you’re ready to learn more and dig into orofacial myofunctional therapy, the history & background, all the muscles, and learn how to implement it in your practice today, join us in The Myo Method®! Elevate your practice today!
