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Our LocationMyofunctional therapy begins with consistent, targeted exercises you can perform at home, designed to retrain the muscles of the face, mouth, and tongue. You follow structured techniques that support proper oral posture, breathing, and swallowing patterns. Each step builds neuromuscular memory, helping correct long-standing habits that may affect sleep, speech, or dental alignment. Dr. Napoli’s approach emphasizes daily practice with clear, measurable progress.
The High Rest Position
Your tongue should rest gently against the roof of your mouth, just behind the front teeth, with light suction holding it in place. This high rest position supports proper facial development and airway alignment over time. Keep your lips closed and breathe through your nose, allowing your jaw to remain relaxed while maintaining this posture throughout the day.
Daily Nasal Breathing
Your body functions best when you breathe through your nose, not your mouth. Make it a habit to keep your lips gently closed and air flowing through your nostrils during daily activities. A mid-sized SaaS firm employee practicing this at her desk reported less dryness and improved focus within a week. Train yourself with light reminders, like placing a sticky note on your monitor, until nasal breathing becomes automatic.
Tongue Strength Drills
Press the tip of your tongue firmly against the alveolar ridge, just behind your upper front teeth, and hold for five seconds to build endurance. Perform ten repetitions twice daily, ensuring the back third of your tongue remains elevated throughout the exercise. A mid-sized SaaS firm’s wellness pilot showed consistent improvement in tongue posture among participants after six weeks of structured drills. Repeat this sequence with lateral presses, pressing each side of the tongue against the upper molars to engage different muscle groups.
The Proper Swallow
Your tongue should press firmly against the roof of your mouth just behind the front teeth, initiating a wave-like motion that moves food toward the throat. Each swallow engages the muscles of the tongue, cheeks, and jaw in coordinated action, reinforcing proper oral posture. Practice this motion slowly five times at the end of your daily routine, ensuring no forward thrust of the tongue against the teeth occurs.
Evening Jaw Release
Begin by gently resting your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind the front teeth, allowing your jaw to hang open slightly. Breathe deeply through your nose while consciously relaxing the muscles along your jawline and neck. Hold this position for 30 seconds, focusing on releasing tension accumulated throughout the day. A mid-sized SaaS firm reported improved sleep quality among employees who practiced similar nightly jaw relaxation techniques.
To wrap up
Consistency with Dr. Napoli’s myofunctional exercises supports lasting improvements in oral posture and function. Performing the tongue strength drills daily, maintaining nasal breathing, and ending each day with the jaw release routine condition muscles gradually over time. A patient in her mid-40s with chronic jaw tension reported reduced clenching and better sleep after six weeks of strict adherence. Your discipline with these small, daily actions creates the foundation for meaningful change.
