• Lip closure aids in the development of the muscles in the lower third of the face.
  • Comfortable lip closure looks attractive.
  • Lip closure helps keep the lips from drying out.
  • Lip closure helps keep the mouth moist with saliva which has many benefits: saliva provides a defensive barrier against bacteria, fungi and viruses; it has a buffering action which protects teeth against bacteria producing acids; and there is a remineralizing benefit that helps repair the early stages of tooth decay.
  • Lip closure helps eliminate or reduce bad breath.
  • The lip and cheek muscles form a band that circles the teeth which determines the dimensions of the arch and establishes the position of the teeth.
  • Lip closure helps to guide the anterior teeth into position and acts as a retainer to hold them in place.
  • Lip closure establishes nasal breathing while awake and sleeping.
  • Nasal breathing increases the lung’s ability to absorb oxygen from the inspired air.
  • Diaphragmatic breathing, as part of the physiologic rest posture, pulls air into the lowest part of the lungs where oxygen exchange is most efficient.
  • Diaphragmatic breathing lowers the heart rate and blood pressure, relaxes muscles, calms the mind and stops anxiety.
  • Nasal breathing filters the air of debris and pathogens.
  • Nasal breathing helps to shrink the nasal turbinates.
  • Nasal breathing contributes to the normal development of the nasal cavity and the maxillary sinuses.
  • Nasal breathing while sleeping helps reduce the dry or sore throat associated with mouth breathing.
  • Nasal breathing produces a pattern of airflow which helps to suck the tongue up in the palate. The proper posture of the tongue in the palate is known as the neutral position.
  • The neutral position aids in the normal development of the palate.
  • The neutral position helps to support the palatal transverse arch width.
  • The neutral position helps to maintain an open pharyngeal airway.
  • The neutral position brings the tongue up off the floor of the mouth to facilitate free flow of the salivary glands under the tongue.
  • The neutral position helps support the mandible allowing the teeth to separate in freeway space.
  • The physiologic rest posture with freeway space helps to relax the masseter muscles.
  • The physiologic rest posture with freeway helps keep the temporomandibular joint ‘loose packed’ to maintain the proper disc space width.
  • The physiologic rest posture with freeway space stops clenching or grinding while awake or sleeping.
  • The physiologic rest posture helps to maintain proper head posture.
  • The physiologic rest posture is the starting point for the correct saliva swallowing.