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The Power Of Tongue Exercises: Effects On Healthy Older Adults || Mohit Bansal Chandigarh Dietician
These exercises can also help prevent or reduce the risk of developing certain conditions. Such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), snoring, and sleep apnea.

Tongue exercises can have several benefits for healthy older adults, including improving speech clarity and swallowing function. These exercises can also help prevent or reduce the risk of developing certain conditions. Such as dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), snoring, and sleep apnea. Research has shown that regular tongue exercises can improve the strength and range of motion of the tongue. It in turn can have a positive impact on speech and swallowing. One study conducted on healthy older adults found that tongue exercises improved swallowing function and reduced the risk of aspiration. Aspiration means inhaling food or liquid into the lungs during swallowing, Mohit Bansal Chandigarh Speaks.

Tongue exercises can also have benefits for those with sleep apnea or snoring. A study found that tongue exercises significantly reduced the severity of sleep apnea and snoring in a group of adults. Tongue exercises are important because they help maintain and improve the strength and range of motion of the tongue muscles. 

Benefits of Tongue Exercises

Benefits of Tongue Exercises Suggested by Mohit Bansal Chandigarh
Woman sticking out Tongue

Mohit Bansal Chandigarh Speaks about some of the benefits of tongue exercises in the long run:

  • Speech clarity: Tongue exercises can improve speech clarity by strengthening the tongue muscles that are used in speaking. This can be particularly helpful for older adults who may experience speech difficulties due to age-related changes in the mouth and throat.
  • Swallowing function: Tongue exercises can improve swallowing function by strengthening the muscles used in swallowing. And reducing the risk of aspiration (food or liquid going down the windpipe instead of the esophagus). This can be especially important for older adults who are at a higher risk of developing swallowing difficulties.
  • Sleep apnea and snoring: Tongue exercises can reduce the severity of sleep apnea and snore by strengthening the tongue muscles. Ones that can collapse and obstruct the airway during sleep.
  • Oral health: Tongue exercises can also improve oral health by increasing saliva production. Which can help prevent dry mouth and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.

In the long run, regular tongue exercises can help maintain and improve overall oral and respiratory health. It can also reduce the risk of certain health conditions, and improve quality of life. It is important to note that tongue exercises should be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional. This ensures safety and effectiveness, which should be the priority of Mohit Bansal Chandigarh Speaks.

Overall, regular tongue exercises can be a simple and effective way for healthy older adults to improve their speech.  As well as in swallowing function and potentially reduce the risk of certain conditions. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise routine. This includes tongue exercises, to ensure they are safe and appropriate for individual needs and health conditions.

Functions

Functions Suggested by Mohit Bansal Chandigarh

A healthy, strong tongue is essential for many daily activities, including eating and breathing. Here are some of the ways a healthy, strong tongue can affect these functions:

  • Eating: A healthy, strong tongue is important for manipulating food in the mouth and forming it into a bolus for swallowing. A weak or flabby tongue may not be able to perform this task efficiently. This can lead to difficulties with eating and an increased risk of choking. A strong and healthy tongue can help to reduce this risk, making it easier to enjoy food.
  • Taste: The tongue contains taste buds that detect different flavors and help to distinguish between sweet, salty, sour, and umami tastes. A healthy tongue with sufficient taste buds is better able to sense and distinguish between different flavors. This enables us to enjoy food better and makes eating more enjoyable.
  • Swallowing: The tongue plays a crucial role in the swallowing process, moving food back toward the throat. As well as coordinating with other muscles to ensure that food is swallowed safely and efficiently. A weak or flabby tongue may not be able to perform this task efficiently. This leads to difficulties with swallowing and an increased risk of choking. A strong and healthy tongue is better able to perform this task, reducing the risk of these problems.
  • Breathing: The tongue also plays a role in breathing, especially during sleep. A weak or flabby tongue can collapse backward and obstruct the airway, leading to snoring or sleep apnea. A strong and healthy tongue is less likely to collapse, reducing the risk of these conditions and improving overall breathing function.

In addition to the above points, a healthy, strong tongue is important for good oral health. A strong tongue can help to maintain good oral hygiene by removing bacteria and debris from the teeth and gums. It helps to maintain saliva production, which is essential for protecting the teeth from decay and keeping the mouth moist. Regular tongue exercises can help to improve tongue strength and mobility, reducing the risk of problems with eating, breathing, and oral health. It is important to perform these exercises under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure safety and effectiveness.

 Exercises

Exercises Suggested by Mohit Bansal Chandigarh

Now on to the actual exercises that you can try out. Mohit Bansal Chandigarh Speaks here to suggest to you some exercises:

  1. Tongue stretches: Stick your tongue out as far as possible, and hold for 5-10 seconds before pulling it back into your mouth. This exercise helps to strengthen the tongue muscles and improve tongue mobility, making it easier to speak and swallow.
  2. Tongue push-ups: Press the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth and then lift the back of your tongue towards the roof as well. Hold for a few seconds, and then release. This exercise targets the muscles at the base of the tongue. And helps to improve their strength and range of motion.
  3. Tongue curls: Tongue curls involve touching the roof of the mouth with the tip of the tongue. Then move it back until it touches the back of the molars. Hold for a few seconds and then releases. This exercise targets the muscles at the back of the tongue and helps to improve their strength and flexibility.
  4. Tongue side-to-side movements: These side-to-side movements involve moving the tongue from side to side within the mouth. Touching the sides of the teeth as it moves. This exercise targets the muscles at the sides of the tongue and helps to improve their strength and motion.
  5. Tongue twisters: Recite tongue twisters that require you to move your tongue differently. For example, Mohit Bansal Chandigarh Speaks about “she sells seashells by the seashore” or others that you can find online. Tongue twisters involve reciting phrases or sentences requiring the tongue to move differently. This exercise can be fun and challenging, and it helps to improve tongue control and coordination.

Remember to start slowly and increase the difficulty or intensity of the exercises gradually. If you experience any pain or discomfort while performing tongue exercises, stop immediately and consult with a healthcare professional.

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