Simple oral motor exercises to elevate your communication skills naturally

Oral motor exercises improve speech, swallowing, and oral function in adults.(Image via Freepik/Wayhomestudio)
Oral motor exercises improve speech, swallowing and oral function in adults.(Image via Freepik/Wayhomestudio)

Ready to embark on a journey to improve your communication skills? Look no further than oral motor exercises.

In this article, we will explore how these exercises can work wonders for your speech muscles, boost confidence and help you express yourself with clarity.


Basics of oral motor exercises

These exercises are specially designed to target and enhance the muscles involved in speech production. These exercises can help improve muscle tone, coordination and control, eventually leading to clearer and more effective communication.


Oral motor exercises for adults

Tongue twisters, lip trills and jaw exercises are effective for strengthening oral muscles (Image via Freepik/master1305)
Tongue twisters, lip trills and jaw exercises are effective for strengthening oral muscles (Image via Freepik/master1305)

It's never too late to invest in your oral motor skills. Adults can benefit greatly from these exercises, whether they aim to refine their speech clarity or overcome specific speech challenges.

By engaging in regular oral motor exercises, you can strengthen your articulation, boost oral control and unlock your full communication potential.


What are nonspeech oral motor exercises?

While these exercises are primarily associated with speech improvement, their benefits extend beyond spoken language. Nonspeech oral motor exercises focus on the movements and coordination of the oral muscles without relying on speech.

These exercises can enhance swallowing, chewing, facial muscle strength and overall oral function.


Perks of oral motor exercises

Regular practice of these exercises enhances communication skills and coordination. (Image via Freepik/cookie_studio)
Regular practice of these exercises enhances communication skills and coordination. (Image via Freepik/cookie_studio)

The benefits of incorporating these exercises in your routine are numerous. Let's explore some of the key benefits that these exercises can offer to adults:

Enhanced speech clarity

By strengthening and coordinating the muscles involved in speech production, such exercises can improve speech clarity. You will notice clearer articulation, increased precision in pronunciation and greater overall control of your spoken words.

Improved swallowing function

These exercises not only benefit your speech but also enhance swallowing. These exercises can strengthen the muscles involved in swallowing, leading to more efficient and effortless swallowing patterns.

Increased facial muscle strength

Your facial muscles play a crucial role in various aspects of communication, from expressing emotions to facial gestures. These exercises can boost facial muscle strength, allowing you to convey your thoughts and emotions more effectively through facial expressions.

Enhanced oral control

Precise control over your oral movements is essential for proper speech production. These exercises help you develop better oral control, allowing you to articulate sounds, words and sentences with greater accuracy and fluency.


Effective examples of oral motor exercises

Consistency is key to achieving noticeable improvements in speech clarity. (Image via Freepik/benzoix)
Consistency is key to achieving noticeable improvements in speech clarity. (Image via Freepik/benzoix)

Now that you're eager to embark on your oral motor exercise journey, let's dive into some practical exercises to get those speech muscles grooving. Remember that consistency is key.

By incorporating these exercises in your daily routine, you will gradually witness improvements in your speech and oral motor skills.

Lip Press

Pucker up those lips, and gently press them together. Hold for a few seconds, release, and repeat. This exercise strengthens the muscles around the lips and enhances lip control.

Tongue push-up

Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth and against the back of your top teeth. This exercise strengthens the tongue muscles and improves tongue mobility.

Cheek puffing

Inhale deeply and hold your breath while puffing out your cheeks. Hold for a few seconds, and release. This exercise targets the muscles in your cheeks and promotes oral muscle strength.

Jaw exercises

Practice gentle jaw-opening and closing movements to strengthen the muscles responsible for chewing and speaking. Open your mouth wide, hold briefly, and slowly close it. Repeat this exercise to improve jaw mobility.

Straw sucking

Grab a straw; place it in a glass of water, and practice sucking the water up through the straw. This exercise enhances oral muscle coordination and control.


By committing to regular practice and embracing the power of these exercises, you're paving the way for clearer and more confident speech. So, incorporate these exercises into your daily routine, stay motivated, and watch as your communication skills soar to new heights.

Get ready to express yourself with ease, and captivate your audience like never before. Let your voice shine brightly.