Did you know that swallowing correctly and tongue position is the foundation for aligned teeth and prevention of orthodontic relapse?

Changes in swallowing pattern can be a result of compensation mechanisms that often begin early in life (Maspero, et al. 2014). Factors affecting these swallowing changes can include learning to swallow around a bottle teat, swallowing with a dummy or a sucked thumb. An article by Paglia (2023), suggests that prompt intervention is require at around the age of 4-6 years to correct these habits as well as mouth-breathing if we are wanting the dental arches to form correctly with enough space to accommodate all the permanent teeth. Without broad dental arches not only do we have inadequate space for our permanent dentition, but we also have reduced airway space through the nasal cavities which can compromise our ability to breathe sufficiently and correctly. A meta-analysis by Liu, et al. (2020), found that airway space in the nasal cavities including inspiratory and expiratory flow rates significantly increased after undergoing rapid maxillary expansion- a form of palate expansion that increases the width of the upper arch. Correct tongue posture (against the palate), can encourage growth of the maxilla and prevent the need for palate expansion. Correct tongue position can be facilitated with myofunctional therapy.

Orthodontic treatment can create optimal tooth position and alignment between the arches, however if incorrect swallowing patterns such as a tongue-thrust aren’t addressed, the swallowing pattern can interrupt the progress of standard orthodontic treatment (Maspero, 2014) and contribute to orthodontic relapse. A therapeutic approach that addresses both the malocclusion (tooth placement) and that corrects the oral habit that is preventing the teeth from proper alignment is the best way to address orthodontic relapse and support long term lasting results from orthodontic treatment (Maspero, 2014).

Myofunctional therapy is the foundation for supporting correct swallowing patterns and tongue position which in turn leads to optimal growth of the dental arches, naturally straight teeth and sufficient airway space.

Reference:

Maspero, C., Prevedello, C., Galbiati, G. G., & Farronato, G. (2014). Atypical swallowing: a review. Minerva Stomatos. 2014 Jun;63(6):217-27

Pagalia, L. (2023). Interceptive orthodontics: awareness and prevention is the first cure. Eur J. Paediatric Dentistry. 2023 Feb;24(1):5. Doi:10.23804/ejpd.2023.24.01.01

Liu, K., Wei, H., Dai, J. & Wang, X. (2020). Does nasal cavity enlargement associated with respiratory function improve after surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion? J. craniofac. Surg. (2020) May/Jun;31(3): 829-831. Doi:10.1097/SCS.0000000006245