When most people think about orthodontics, they focus on braces, aligners, and straight teeth. But did you know that your tongue habits play a major role in your oral health and orthodontic success?

At West Loop Orthodontics, we believe in educating our patients about all aspects of their treatment! Including the often-overlooked influence of the tongue.

What Are Tongue Habits?

Tongue habits refer to the repetitive movements or resting positions of the tongue that can negatively impact your teeth, bite, and jaw alignment. Common examples include:

• Tongue thrusting: Pushing the tongue against or between the teeth when swallowing or speaking.
• Low tongue posture: Letting the tongue rest at the bottom of the mouth rather than on the palate.
• Mouth breathing: Often tied to low tongue posture, this can affect facial development and oral health.
• Thumb sucking or pacifier use: Though not directly a tongue habit, these behaviors often go hand-in-hand and influence tongue position.

How Tongue Habits Affect Orthodontic Treatment

We see firsthand how improper tongue habits can lead to orthodontic issues such as:

• Open bite: A condition where the upper and lower teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed—often caused by tongue thrusting.
• Overjet (buck teeth): Forward-protruding front teeth, worsened by tongue pressure from the inside.
• Relapse after braces: Even after braces or Invisalign, poor tongue posture can push teeth out of alignment again.
• Speech issues: Improper tongue movement may affect speech patterns, especially with “S” or “TH” sounds.

Identifying and Treating Tongue Habits

Early diagnosis is key. During your consultation, our team evaluates not just your teeth but your overall oral posture. If a tongue habit is detected, we may recommend:

• Myofunctional therapy: A series of exercises that retrain the tongue and orofacial muscles to function properly.
• Orthodontic appliances: In some cases, a tongue crib or other device may be used to discourage harmful tongue movements.
• Breathing therapy or ENT referrals: If mouth breathing is involved, we may collaborate with other healthcare providers to improve nasal airflow.

Why It Matters

Correcting tongue habits can dramatically improve the effectiveness and stability of your orthodontic treatment. At West Loop Orthodontics, our goal is not just to give you a beautiful smile but to ensure it lasts a lifetime.

By addressing tongue habits early, especially in children and teens, we can prevent more serious issues down the road. And for adults, incorporating myofunctional awareness into your orthodontic journey leads to better outcomes and fewer surprises.

If you or your child are considering braces or Invisalign, don’t overlook the importance of tongue posture and habits. Let us help you achieve a healthier, more stable smile—starting from the inside out!

We at West Loop figured we needed someone who could assess our patients’ health needs, organizing information about the company, their treatment, and status of their health. Meet Edith, our new Patient Care Coordinator! She has taken over the mission of making sure appointments are thorough and helping patients leave with a better understanding than when they came in! On top of that, she ensures that patients has a clear feel for West Loop Ortho!

On her off days she is usually out exploring the world! She loves to have double the fun by trying new foods while traveling. When she is opting for a local adventure, she’ll go to concerts as a music fanatic or take activity classes.  Being friendly, thorough, and personable at all times makes Edith a perfect fit for becoming our Patient Care Coordinator. Expect customer service quality to be a strong focus and look forward to having a great experience! Welcome Edith to the team!

As the first person you will see in our office, Jazmine is prepared to get everything in order right off the bat! As our new Scheduling Coordinator, she will ensure that you’re slotted in no matter what! It’s a good thing that she’s passionate about providing a great experience for patients because that’s the key to great service. Give her a ring about your treatment schedule and without a doubt she’ll get the perfect time for you!

When she has successfully allotted patients, she focuses her time to wind down a bit. She takes her dog for a walk around the neighborhood, takes time to connect with mother nature, and explores restaurants in the city!  She’s a perfect fit for scheduling, and she’s our first line of offense in the office. Welcome Jazmine to the West Loop Ortho team! We’re lucky to have her!

Patients would love to know the ins and outs of their treatment before they sign up for such a monumental change, that’s why Nicole absolutely had to join the team! She’s our new Treatment Coordinator, making sure patients understand all things related to their treatment and financial plans. On top of that, she guides new patients into their treatment taking over the beginning steps ensuring it all goes smoothly! 

When she’s not in the office, she enjoys popping into restaurants in the city, surprising her dog with trips to the park, becoming one with nature on hikes, and other outdoor activities! This free spirit loves to educate people on what they’re getting into, as a result, she’s perfect for the West Loop Orthodontics team. Welcome Nicole!