Exercises of the tongue might sound strange but are very important to our health. Just like any other muscle in the human body, our tongue can be made stronger as well by performing regular exercises.

Here we will talk about what tongue exercises are, why it is important to make them a part of your daily routine, and how you can make them a part of your life.

Getting to Know the Tongue

The tongue is a handy muscle that enables us to accomplish numerous things. We can speak, taste, swallow, and even breathe with its help. It constitutes several muscles that help it move in various directions. Just like any other muscle, the tongue may also lose its strength or become rigid if we do not make proper use of it. Hence, we are required to exercise the tongue.

Advantages of Tongue Exercises

1. Improved Speech Clarity

Improved speech clarity is one significant advantage of tongue exercises. When you have difficulties pronouncing certain sounds or words, tongue exercises can strengthen the muscles involved in speaking and make them more effective. It is particularly useful in children who are learning to speak or in adults who are recuperating after speech difficulties.

2. Improved Swallowing Function

Swallowing is a complex movement that utilizes a number of muscles, including the tongue. A weak or improperly functioning tongue can lead to swallowing difficulties, or dysphagia. Strengthening the muscles through regular exercising of the tongue can cause the tongue to function more effectively and make swallowing safer and easier.

3. Improved Taste Sensation

The tongue contains taste buds beneath which we can enjoy various tastes. The more you use your tongue, the more you can strengthen your sense of taste. More powerful tongue muscles can help us move food around our mouths effectively so that the taste buds can perform their function.

4. Lower Risk of Mouth Health Problems

A healthy tongue can keep our mouths healthy. It scrapes off food particles and bacteria and prevents bad breath and other oral problems. Tongue exercises can lead to improved oral health and hygiene.

5. Help in Curing Sleep Apnea

For individuals who suffer from sleep apnea, exercises for the tongue can be greatly beneficial. Sleep apnea is most likely to occur when the tongue tends to roll back towards the throat during sleep, thereby obstructing the air passage. Strengthening exercises for the tongue may keep the air passage open during sleep, thereby improving the quality of sleep.

6. Maintaining Muscle Tone and Control

You must exercise your tongue daily to maintain its strength. Exercises can make the tongue stronger and more controlled, and this will benefit eating and talking. More tongue control can mean more control and coordination and activities of daily living.

7. Developing Confidence in Social Interactions

Good speech and clear communication are very desirable socially. By clearing up speech and improving issues with swallowing, tongue exercises can make you a more confident socialiser. This can lead to more pleasant interactions and an improved quality of life.

How to Do Tongue Exercises

It is simple to incorporate tongue exercises into your life and do them anywhere. Perform the following exercises to get started:

1. Tongue Stretch

• Stick out your tongue as far as possible.
• Wait for 5 seconds.
• Relax and repeat 5-10 times.

2. Tongue Roll

• Shape your tongue like a tube.
• Wait for a few seconds.
• Release and repeat 5-10 times.

3. Tongue Exercises

• Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth.
• Wait for 5 seconds.
• Relax and repeat 5-10 times.

4. Side-to-Side Movement

• Shift your tongue to the left side of your mouth.
• Wait for 5 seconds.
• Step to the right side and hold for 5 seconds.
• Repeat 5-10 times.

5. Taste Exercise

• Take a small quantity of food, for instance, a fruit.
• Put it on one side of your tongue and shift it to the other side.
• Pay attention to the taste of the food while you shift it.
• Repeat for a few minutes.

Tips for Successful Tongue Exercises

Consistency is Key: As in any exercise regimen, consistency is very crucial. Practice tongue exercises daily for optimum results.

Keep Yourself Hydrated: Water intake keeps your mouth damp and your tongue functioning the way it normally does. Hydration ensures proper oral hygiene.

Be Patient: Things can take time to change. Keep up your routine, and you will probably notice positive changes.

When to Get Professional Assistance

Exercises of the tongue can be beneficial to many individuals, yet you should discuss with a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing severe difficulty with talking or swallowing. A speech therapist or oral specialist can provide personal instruction and ensure that exercises for the tongue are appropriate for you.

Bottom Line

Tongue exercises are a simple and effective method of making speech more intelligible, swallowing simpler, and improving overall oral cleanliness.

By incorporating these exercises into your daily routine, you can strengthen your tongue muscles and reap a multitude of benefits. Whether you need to make your speech more intelligible, eliminate swallowing issues, or simply maintain a clean mouth, tongue exercises can be beneficial for you. So go ahead and give them a shot! Your tongue will thank you!