Most people have the ability to roll their tongue. This ability is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. If you're in the minority and can't roll your tongue, this may seem impossible. You may have tried to force your tongue to do it, but to no avail. There's no guarantee it will work, but keep trying and eventually you might be able to do it.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Taco Fold Shapes
Step 1. Press your tongue to the bottom of your mouth
You can also call it the floor of your mouth. This makes it easier for you to access the borders of the tongue. You will use the inside of your mouth as a benchmark as you learn to do it. The other parts are not really needed. The bottom of the mouth along with the teeth and lips should be enough to form the tongue into a taco fold.
Step 2. Flatten your tongue to cover the bottom of the mouth
Try touching all three sides (don't worry about the back) of your mouth at the same time. Stretch your tongue so you can apply pressure to each side. You may feel your tongue under your teeth.
Step 3. Curl the edges of your tongue separately
Now, try moving each side of your tongue separately. Keep your tongue flat. With pressure from each side of the mouth, loosen slightly on one side and move it up in the mouth. For example, while you are applying pressure to the left side, try touching your teeth with the right side of your tongue. Try touching the top of your mouth. Switch to the other side and do the same.
Step 4. Curl both edges of your tongue at the same time
As you learn to move each side separately, your tongue will become more dexterous. Hold your tongue down flat and move one side up. Then, move the other side. You should now hold your tongue flat, while the sides touch each side of your mouth at or above your teeth. When you look in the mirror, you will see your tongue begin to fold.
If you look in the mirror and your tongue looks uneven, keep practicing flattening your tongue and moving the sides separately. What's happening is that you're using the muscles in the center of your tongue to raise your tongue. These muscles are supposed to hold your tongue to the bottom of your mouth
Step 5. Stick out your tongue while maintaining its shape
When you open your mouth, you should see your tongue forming a fold on the inside. As you take your tongue out of your mouth, continue to apply pressure to the sides. Press the bottom of your tongue against the bottom of your upper teeth. As your tongue sticks out, use your lips to hold the round shape.
You may find that when you remove it, your tongue will fold more easily against an object, such as a straw. Hold the sides of your tongue against the sides of the straw. If you feel the bottom of your tongue pushing the straw up and out of the sides, step back and reshape your tongue. Keep trying until you no longer need the straw
Method 2 of 3: Creating a Two-Strap Clover Leaf Shape
Step 1. Flatten your tongue to cover the bottom of your mouth
Try to touch all three sides (don't mess with the back) of your mouth at the same time. Stretch your tongue so you can apply pressure to each side. You may feel like your tongue is under your teeth. You need to hold your tongue flat as long as possible, while practicing this clover leaf shape.
Step 2. Make a taco fold shape with your tongue in your mouth
If you can't make these folds, practice first. You should be able to create and hold the fold shape without any help. I mean, if you still need your lips to hold the shape of the taco fold, it means you're not ready to make this shape yet.
Step 3. Place the tip of your tongue against the bottom of the two upper teeth
The goal is to practice the movement of the tip of the tongue separately from the sides and middle. You need to start by touching the tip of your tongue to the bottom of your upper teeth. Try to hold the sides above your mouth. You may need to press the sides over your mouth to make this shape.
Touch only the tip of your tongue, to the top of the top two teeth. If any part of your tongue touches the underside of your upper teeth or any of the teeth, try pulling your tongue back in. Hold the tip of your tongue against your front teeth as you do this. This in itself will help you distinguish the muscles in your tongue (for example, the top center and the top side)
Step 4. Touch the back of your upper teeth
Do this using only the tip of your tongue, without moving the sides of your tongue. Don't let the tongue move backwards in your mouth. If the tongue moves, repeat again. You'll know you're truly successful when your tongue folds in on itself in the middle.
- This part is the most difficult part and takes longer to practice to perfection. If you feel stuck, that's exactly what will happen in this section.
- If you have trouble at this stage, you may be moving all parts of the front of the tongue, not just the tip. This may be difficult to overcome. If you feel the sides of the front of your tongue moving along with the tip, stop and repeat. The tongue should be relaxed so as not to push the sides behind your mouth.
Step 5. Practice holding the center crease without your teeth
Most of the sides of your mouth still hold the sides of your tongue firmly. You may even use your upper teeth to hold the center crease. Practice getting your tongue out of your mouth while holding its shape. With enough practice, you will be able to create creases without the help of your teeth.
Method 3 of 3: Creating a Three-Strap Clover Leaf Shape
Step 1. Flatten the tongue inside your mouth
You need to start by stretching your tongue as much as possible. You can try it by pressing your tongue to the bottom of your mouth. You'll need some tongue work to make a three-leaf clover shape.
Step 2. Fold your tongue into a roll
If you can't make and hold the roll shape with your tongue, don't try this technique. You will be frustrated. This technique requires both the ability to make rolls and two-leaf clover shapes for you to be able to successfully create a three-leaf clover shape.
Step 3. Place your finger in front of your mouth
It is better to use your index finger with the part of the fingerprint facing your tongue. Whichever finger you use should be strong enough to hold your tongue. You'll be pressing your tongue against its own surface, to make a three-leaf clover shape. You don't need to place your fingers so they touch your lips, but close enough that you can't get your tongue out the full length without removing your fingers.
Step 4. Push your taco-folded tongue until it touches your finger
Don't use your mouth to hold the folds together. Place your finger close to your mouth, but not inside your mouth. You need sufficient distance to move your tongue back and forth while practicing this technique.
One way to position your fingers is to stick your tongue out into the folds. Place your finger under the tongue, pointing at the palate. Your fingernail should be under the tip of your tongue. Move your tongue back and let your fingers press up. That's a good position to put your finger in
Step 5. Hold the tip and sides of the tongue and leave the edges on the left and right so that your fingers can fold them in
In the two-leaf clover technique, the tongue muscles on the left and right of your fingers relax. This time too. The ends of the folds will face up to form the first and third leaf blades. This is the hard part. If you feel entangled, this is where you will experience it.
If you can't make a two-leaf clover shape yet, practice the technique first. The three-leaf clover technique requires more tongue dexterity. In the two-leaf clover technique, you learn to manipulate the tip of your tongue separately from the sides. Now you'll need more dexterity to successfully make a three-leaf clover shape
Step 6. Practice holding the crease until you can get rid of your finger
The more you practice rolling your tongue, the less help you will need. You'll be able to successfully form three cloverleaf clovers without help. Remove your finger from the tongue while holding its shape. You may need to try it a few times, but over time you'll get the hang of it.
