When chewing, the tongue moves dynamically inside the mouth, coordinating with jaw movements. It typically moves downward and to the side of mastication, scooping and holding the food on the teeth to aid in grinding. The tongue reaches its lowest position just before maximum jaw opening and acts like a wall to prevent food from falling off the teeth.
When swallowing, the correct position for the tongue is with the tip pressing against the gum or the roof of the mouth (hard palate) just behind the upper front teeth, not pressing against or between the teeth. The tongue presses upward and backward in a wave-like motion to move food or liquid to the back of the throat without excessive lip, cheek, face, or neck movements. This position helps avoid dental misalignment and promotes efficient swallowing.
To summarize:
- During chewing: tongue moves down, forward, and to the chewing side to manage food on the teeth.
- During swallowing: tongue tip rests against the gum or hard palate behind upper front teeth and presses food backward without touching teeth.
This coordinated positioning ensures effective chewing and swallowing while protecting dental alignment and oral health.
