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How should your mouth rest naturally?

The position of your mouth at rest plays an important role in your overall oral health and function. However, many people are unsure of what the proper resting position of the mouth actually is. This article will examine how your mouth should rest naturally, the benefits of proper mouth rest position, issues that can arise from improper mouth rest, and tips for training yourself to rest your mouth properly.

What is the natural resting position of the mouth?

The ideal natural resting position of the mouth is to have the teeth slightly apart, with the tip of the tongue resting on the roof of the mouth just behind the front teeth. This position allows for proper breathing through the nose and keeps the correct alignment of the teeth and jaw.

More specifically, these things should happen when your mouth is at rest:

  • The lips are gently closed and relaxed, not tightly shut
  • The tip of the tongue is placed against the ridge just behind the upper front teeth
  • The back of the tongue presses lightly on the roof of the mouth
  • The teeth are slightly apart, not clenched or touching heavily
  • The jaw is relaxed, not clenched or tight

This natural position allows the teeth to line up properly and prevents strain on the jaw muscles. It also leaves space between the upper and lower teeth so that you can breathe comfortably through your nose. Your lips should be softly closed without tension. No part of the tongue should be pressing between the teeth.

Why is proper natural mouth position important?

Resting your mouth in its natural position offers many benefits:

  • Allows proper nasal breathing – The tongue position opens the airway for air to flow in through the nose instead of the mouth.
  • Prevents jaw problems – Keeping the jaw relaxed prevents straining the temporomandibular joint and muscles.
  • Avoids dental issues – Lets the teeth sit properly aligned and avoids putting pressure on them.
  • Lessens facial tension – Relaxes the lips and cheeks instead of clenching them.
  • Helps saliva flow – Allows saliva to coat and protect the teeth and oral tissues.

Resting in the improper mouth position for extended periods can lead to tooth misalignment, TMJ and muscle pain, mouth breathing, sleep apnea, and other problems. Letting your mouth rest in its natural state is ideal for optimal oral health and function.

What are some common improper mouth rests?

Some of the more common incorrect mouth positions that people often rest in are:

  • Clenching – Teeth are tightly clenched and squeezed together.
  • Grinding – Upper and lower teeth are forcefully pressed together by tight jaw muscles.
  • Open rest – The jaw is dropped open and the lips are parted.
  • Protruding rest – The lower jaw juts out beyond the upper teeth.
  • Teeth together – The upper and lower teeth are lightly resting against each other.
  • Tongue between teeth – The tongue is pressed against or sticks out between the front teeth.
  • Lips pulled in – Lips are tightly closed and drawn into the mouth.

These improper mouth positions can lead to a variety of dental and orthodontic problems over time such as misaligned teeth, chipped teeth, gum disease, TMJ disorder, sleep apnea, and more. Breaking the habit of resting your mouth the wrong way takes conscious effort and consistency.

What problems can an improper mouth rest cause?

Resting your mouth in the incorrect position for prolonged periods can contribute to various issues including:

Tooth and jaw alignment problems

Clenching, grinding, or putting pressure on the teeth from incorrect tongue or lip placement can shift teeth out of proper alignment. This can lead to bite problems, increased risk of teeth fracturing or chipping, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

Sleep apnea

Letting your jaw hang open or mouth breathe causes the airway to become obstructed, increasing the chances of sleep apnea and snoring.

Damage to teeth

Clenching and grinding wears down tooth enamel. Pressing the tongue against the teeth pushes them out of place. These habits make teeth more vulnerable to cavities and cracking.

Gum recession

Too much pressure on the teeth from improper resting habits can cause the gums to recede and expose tooth roots.

TMJ Disorder

Straining the temporomandibular joint and jaw muscles by clenching, protruding the jaw, or grinding can lead to pain, tenderness, clicking, locking, and other TMJ problems.

Speech issues

An improper bite alignment, tongue thrusting, or dental problems caused by poor mouth position can affect speech clarity and pronunciation.

Facial tension

Habitual tightening of facial and mouth muscles creates tension in the face, head, and neck. This leads to headaches, neck aches, and pain.

Tips for training proper mouth rest position

If you notice you rest your mouth in an improper position, you can retrain yourself by following these tips:

  • Become aware – Pay attention to your mouth throughout the day to notice its position.
  • Relax the tongue – Allow it to rest gently on the roof of the mouth.
  • Part the teeth slightly – Leave a small space between upper and lower teeth.
  • Relax the jaw – Keep it gently open instead of clenched or tight.
  • Close the lips softly – Avoid pressing them together too firmly.
  • Set reminders – Use sticky notes or alarms to remind you throughout the day.
  • Manage stress – Anxiety and tension often lead to clenching and grinding.
  • Consider a mouth guard – Wearing one at night prevents damage from grinding.
  • See a dentist – Get orthodontic help to address alignment issues.
  • Be patient – It takes time to break an improper mouth habit.

With consistent awareness and practice, resting your mouth properly can become an automatic habit. This promotes good oral health, prevents many dental problems, and gives your jaw muscles a break.

When to see a dentist or orthodontist

Consult a dentist or orthodontist promptly if you notice any of the following:

  • Difficulty bringing your lips together
  • Pain or popping in the jaw joint
  • Changes in your bite alignment
  • Tooth pain or increased sensitivity
  • Chipped or cracked teeth
  • Headaches or earaches
  • Mouth breathing or snoring
  • Speech changes

A dentist can assess your overall dental health, rule out underlying conditions, and provide treatment options. Orthodontists can evaluate bite alignment and determine if interventions like Invisalign or braces are warranted. Addressing improper mouth rest early is ideal.

Conclusion

The natural resting position of the mouth is with the teeth slightly apart, tongue tip resting on the roof of the mouth, lips gently together and relaxed. Resting in this position promotes proper dental alignment and nasal breathing. Breaking habits like clenching, grinding, mouth breathing, and tongue thrusting can prevent many oral health problems. Retraining your mouth to rest properly may take conscious effort at first but becomes natural with time and consistency. Working with dental professionals can help correct any underlying alignment issues.