MYOFUNCTIONAL HOMEWORK - TONGUE & CHEEK EXERCISE
THE SMALL DAILY HABIT THAT CAN TRANSFORM YOUR JAW AND POSTURE
Is your jaw, tongue, or face working against your health?
A simple at-home exercise guide for myofunctional therapy — and why it matters more than you think.
Your mouth does more than chew and smile. The way your tongue rests, your jaw sits, and your cheeks hold tension every single day has a real effect on your breathing, your sleep, your TMJ, and even the position of your teeth over time.
That's the heart of myofunctional therapy — retraining the muscles of the face, tongue, and jaw so your whole system works the way it was designed to. At TLC Dental Wellness, we look at the full picture. These exercises are one part of a whole-body, airway-focused approach to your care.
Think of it like physical therapy for your mouth. Small, consistent practice retrains the muscles and nervous system. You don't have to be perfect — you just have to show up daily.
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1. Inner cheek stretches — release the tension you didn't know you had
How to do it
2–3 times per day - Morning, midday, and evening
- Wash your hands first.
- Let your teeth part slightly — jaw relaxed.
- Slide one or two fingers between your teeth and cheek, back toward the molars.
- Gently pull the cheek outward and slightly upward — a comfortable stretch, no sharp pain.
- Hold 30 seconds. Repeat 5 times per side.
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2. Tongue posture — where your tongue lives matters
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How to do it
10 short sessions throughout the day · 30–60 seconds each
- Place the tip of your tongue lightly on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth (not touching them).
- Let the middle and back of your tongue gently suction up to the palate.
- Close your lips softly. Breathe through your nose.
- Hold 30–60 seconds. If your tongue drops, just reset and start again
Pair it with habits you already have — after brushing, in the car, before bed. That's how it sticks.
3. Jaw relaxation — a reset for overworked muscles
If you clench, grind, or hold tension in your jaw (even while sleeping), this exercise helps calm those overactive muscles and support TMJ stability.
How to do it
Once in the evening · 3 sets of 5 slow openings
- Sit or stand tall, shoulders relaxed.
- Let your teeth part slightly. Tongue in the correct resting position.
- Slowly open and close your mouth in a small, comfortable range — no forcing, no popping.
- 3 sets of 5 controlled openings. Slow and smooth.
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