Correct swallowing depends on a proper relationship between muscles of the face, mouth, and throat. Muscles and nerves in the tongue, cheeks and throat must work together in harmony. When a person swallows incorrectly as a child the pressure may push teeth out of place (tongue thrust), prevent teeth from erupting, and may cause an anterior open bite. 

Both chewing and swallowing are important for proper digestion. Aerophagia is the swallowing of air. When you swallow improperly, air is swallowed, leading to digestive issues such as frequent stomach aches and acid reflux. Myofunctional therapy teachers correct chewing and swallowing mechanics. This includes learning how to slow down, to bilaterally chew and swallow without compensation from any additional muscles. The correct tongue posture can improve digestive problems by stimulating the vegas nerve located at the “spot”.  The vegas nerve is responsible for the regulation of breathing and digestion. Learning how to breathe properly may also help decrease or eliminate digestive issues due to the balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system response.  Mouth breathing may cause digestive issues because the body is in a chronic fight or flight mode, which causes a more sympathetic nervous system response, instead of the rest and digest response of the parasympathetic nervous system.