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05. Advanced Water Trap Swallow

After you have mastered the Water Trap Swallow technique, you may then practice this advanced one.

This technique helps to train correct swallow mechanics. Swallowing with the appropriate tongue movement supports postural alignment and stability through the head and neck while promoting nose breathing.

There are a few key elements to swallowing correctly:

  • Your tongue should move up and back in wave-like motion across your palate where the tip is on the spot (just behind and above the inside of your upper front teeth) and the back of the tongue on the soft palate. 
    • Your tongue should not thrust forward into your front teeth. This is referred to as an anterior tongue thrust and can lead to the front teeth being apart (anterior open bite). 
  • The muscles around your lips and cheeks should be relaxed and not contract when swallowing. 
    • If these muscles do contract, this creates increased pressure around your dental arch facilitating a more narrow structure. If the dental arch is too narrow it can make it more difficult to breath and correctly posture your tongue on the roof of your mouth. 
  • It is normal after you swallow for your teeth to lightly and briefly contact one another.

Instructions:

  1. Take a small amount of water and gather it in the center of your tongue.
  2. Place a wine cork (or something smaller) between your front teeth. This makes it harder to maintain contact on the soft palate. 
    1. If needed, you may tilt your head back a little to prevent the water from coming out of your mouth. 
  3. Place the tip of your tongue to “the spot” (just behind and above the inside of your upper front teeth), smile and swallow.
  4. Notice the pressure of the back of your tongue on your soft palate during your swallow.
  5. Complete 15x.

Perform 2-3x/day. *Unless otherwise directly

  • Optionally, use your testing technique to determine your optimal frequency and duration to perform

 

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