Home Exercises for TMJ / Throat / Tongue Muscles

(Also helps people with snoring and sleep apnea)

You should practice the following words and sounds: and they should help you place your tongue in position for correct swallowing. If practiced properly, a number of times daily, it will help you remember the proper tongue positions.

The following words and sounds will help you place your tongue on the gum ridges of the palate where it should be for the beginning of correct swallowing.

Say them slowly aloud and feel the tip of the tongue on the palate ridges. After each line of words, swallow.

1st week: tact, tight, tot, treat, Swallow, Repeat 5 times

2nd week: light, lit, lot, Swallow, Repeat 5 times

3rd week: straight, strict, strut, start, Swallow, Repeat 5 times

4th week: net, nee, nay, new, note, Swallow, Repeat 5 times

5th week: nun, bun, sun run, fun, Swallow, Repeat 5 times

6th week: Say: “My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.”

Along with these words, close the back teeth firmly and say:

  • Choo, choo, choo, choo, Swallow
  • Cha, cha, cha, cha, cha, Swallow

Practice each sentence of words slowly and as many times as you can.

The following sounds will place the middle and back of the tongue right against the roof of your mouth. Say them slowly and feel the back of the tongue against the roof and then swallow.

The K’s

  • Kah, kay, key, ko, ku  Repeat rapidly as in K-K-K-K-Katie
  • Kick, kick, kick, kick, kick
  • Ache, ice, ike, oak

The G’s

  • Ahg, egg, igg, ogg, ugh
  • Hag, hog, hig, hog, hug

Practice making the *NG* sounds through the nose for a long time.

  • Ahng, ing, ung, ong, sung, sing, hung, king, ring, sung

Practice yawning

  • Yawn, yawn, yawn, yawnMany times a day.

Gargle before you brush your teeth. Practice gargling. These exercises will strengthen the muscles of the back of your throat and mouth and place your tongue in the back of the throat in the proper position for correct swallowing.

 

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