Chewing Strong for Thanksgiving Dinner: Why Tongue Strength Matters 🦃👅

Written By Lori Eckhardt

Thanksgiving brings family, fun, and plenty of delicious food. From turkey to cranberry sauce, our mouths and facial muscles have a big job to do. Healthy chewing is not only important for savoring every bite. It supports digestion, airway health, and even smile development over a lifetime.

The unsung hero behind it all: the tongue!

💪 The Tongue: A Lifelong Muscle Powerhouse

The tongue contains eight muscles that coordinate with the lips, cheeks, and jaw to:

  • Break down food efficiently

  • Move food safely for swallowing

  • Maintain nasal breathing during meals

  • Support dental and airway structure

  • Create clear speech sounds

When those muscles are not working well, both kids and adults may experience:

  • Slow or tiring chewing

  • Avoidance of tougher foods

  • Gagging or difficulty managing textures

  • Mouth breathing (especially during meals)

  • Excess gas or digestive discomfort

  • Jaw fatigue or clenching

No one wants to feel worn out at the dinner table, especially when dessert arrives.

🍽️ Why Efficient Chewing Matters

Healthy chewing:

  • Protects the airway while eating

  • Helps digestion start properly

  • Encourages calm and confident mealtimes

  • Supports healthier breathing patterns

Research shows correct chewing and nasal breathing contribute to better sleep, facial development, and overall wellness.
Sources:

✅ When to Consider Myofunctional Therapy

Guidance may help if you notice:

  • Mouth breathing while awake or asleep

  • Persistent food avoidance or choking concerns

  • Jaw tension or orthodontic relapse

  • Messy or noisy eating

  • Fatigue during meals

Therapy builds a stable foundation for breathing, eating, and smiling more confidently at every age.

💛 Final Thought

This Thanksgiving, celebrate not only the food on your plate, but the strength and function that help you enjoy it. If mealtimes feel challenging for you or your child, there is no need to struggle through another season. Better chewing can lead to better comfort, better sleep, and a healthier life.

Wishing you a joyful holiday filled with strong chews and bright smiles. 😄✨

Lori Eckhardt
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