Myofunctional Therapy
Where to start
If you or your child experience any of the concerns listed below, contact me to schedule a free consultation or assessment. This initial conversation will help determine whether proceeding to a comprehensive in-person evaluation is the right next step. While I prefer conducting the initial evaluation in person, subsequent therapy sessions can be held either in person or virtually.
During the comprehensive evaluation, I will gather detailed information about your health history, childhood development, dental or orthodontic background, speech concerns, sleep issues, tension or posture problems, and any other relevant factors. This information allows me to design a personalized therapy plan tailored to your or your child’s needs. Myofunctional therapy focuses on retraining the orofacial muscles to improve function, with goals that may include normalizing the resting posture of the tongue and lips, establishing nasal breathing patterns, or eliminating habits like thumb-sucking. Therapy involves multiple sessions during which we review progress, adjust exercises, and introduce new techniques to support continued improvement.
It’s important to understand that myofunctional therapy is one piece of the broader healthcare puzzle. Think of me as your guide and trainer. I will work with you to improve orofacial function and connect you with the appropriate healthcare professionals—such as ENTs, allergists, sleep specialists, physical therapists, dietitians, orthodontists, or oral surgeons—when additional support or diagnosis is needed. My therapy focuses on four key goals: maintaining proper mouth posture (lips closed), correct tongue posture (tongue resting on the palate), nasal breathing, and proper swallowing mechanics.
Success in myofunctional therapy requires time, consistency, and active participation. Regular practice of the prescribed exercises is essential for building muscle strength, coordination, and long-term habit formation.
For children, therapy is most effective when parents or guardians actively participate alongside the child, creating a supportive, team-based approach to achieving optimal results.
What are Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders?
Definition
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are patterns involving oral and orofacial musculature that interfere with normal growth, development, or function of orofacial structures, or call attention to themselves. OMDs can be found in children, adolescents, and adults. Simply put, they are disorders of the muscles and function of the mouth and face. OMD's may affect facial skeletal growth and development, chewing, swallowing, speech production, occlusion, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), stability of orthodontic treatment, facial esthetics and much more.
Signs and Symptoms of OMD's
- Tongue-Tie
- TMJ problems
- Forward head posture
- Crowded teeth
- High, narrow palate
- Enlarged tonsils
- Mouth breathing
- Sleep apnea
- Snoring
- Ortho relapse
- Chronic headaches
- Speech challenges
- Thumb sucking/toxic oral habits
- Frequent stomach aches
- Digestive disorders
- Periodontal disease/Gingivitis
- History of ear infections/tubes
- Grinding
- Scalloped tongue
What do OMD's affect?
- Breastfeeding
- Chewing
- Swallowing
- Speech
- Jaw Movement
- Facial and skeletal growth
- Orthodontic treatment
- Facial appearance
- MANY MORE
What should you do if you suspect you have an OMD?
Call today to schedule a free phone consultation to determine if myofunctional therapy is right for you.
What can Myofunctional Therapy help with?
Habit Elimination
Tongue-Thrust Swallow
Habit Elimination
Toxic oral habits such as thumb sucking, finger sucking, pacifier use, and numerous others can cause issues with craniofacial growth and development as well as development of tongue thrust swallow which can cause numerous orthodontic issues, including crowded teeth or open bite.
Tongue-Tie
Tongue-Thrust Swallow
Habit Elimination
. Tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia) is condition present at birth that restricts the tongue's range of motion. With tongue-tie, an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth. Tongue-ties can lead to problems with:
- Breast-feeding
- Gastric reflux
- Gagging
- Mouth br
. Tongue-tie (Ankyloglossia) is condition present at birth that restricts the tongue's range of motion. With tongue-tie, an unusually short, thick or tight band of tissue (lingual frenulum) tethers the bottom of the tongue's tip to the floor of the mouth. Tongue-ties can lead to problems with:
- Breast-feeding
- Gastric reflux
- Gagging
- Mouth breathing
- Speech
- Self esteem
- Grinding
- Snoring
- Sleep disordered breathing
- Orthodontic problems
- Facial development issues
- TMJ issues
- AND MORE!
Tongue-Thrust Swallow
Tongue-Thrust Swallow
Tongue-Thrust Swallow
A tongue thrust swallow can force the teeth and arches out of alignment due to the constant pressure of the tongue. It can also affect speech and breathing. Signs of a tongue thrust include:
- Lisp
- Tongue pokes out when speaking or hangs out at rest
- Open mouth breathing
- Messy eater
- Overbite
ADD/ADHD
Snoring/Sleep Disordered Breathing/Sleep Apnea
Tongue-Thrust Swallow
Studies show that sleep disordered breathing in children were 40 to 100 percent more likely to develop neurobehavioral problems, the biggest increase being in hyperactivity. There is conclusive evidence that sleep and breathing issues – particularly snoring and mouth breathing – can lead directly to ADD and ADHD. Myofunctional therapy can improve symptoms of sleep disordered breathing.
Snoring/Sleep Disordered Breathing/Sleep Apnea
Snoring/Sleep Disordered Breathing/Sleep Apnea
Snoring/Sleep Disordered Breathing/Sleep Apnea
Current literature demonstrates that myofunctional therapy decreases apnea-hypopnea index by approximately 50% in adults and 62% in children. Lowest oxygen saturations, snoring, and sleepiness outcomes improve in adults. Myofunctional therapy could serve as an adjunct to other obstructive sleep apnea treatments.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in
Current literature demonstrates that myofunctional therapy decreases apnea-hypopnea index by approximately 50% in adults and 62% in children. Lowest oxygen saturations, snoring, and sleepiness outcomes improve in adults. Myofunctional therapy could serve as an adjunct to other obstructive sleep apnea treatments.
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea in adults include:
- Daytime drowsiness
- Nighttime grinding/bruxism
- Loud frequent snoring
- Silent pauses in breathing
- Choking or gasping sounds
- Morning headaches
- Nighttime bathroom breaks
- Bedwetting
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Anxiety/Depression
- Alzheimers/Memory problems
- MANY MORE!
Mouth Breathing
Snoring/Sleep Disordered Breathing/Sleep Apnea
Snoring/Sleep Disordered Breathing/Sleep Apnea
Chronic mouth breathing can cause changes to your facial appearance such as flatter nose, short upper lip, recessed chin, forward head posture, droopy eyes and mouth, dimpled chin, dry lips, dark eye circles, and narrow nostrils just to name a few. It can also cause chronic congestion, poor quality sleep, altered posture, and lack of ni
Chronic mouth breathing can cause changes to your facial appearance such as flatter nose, short upper lip, recessed chin, forward head posture, droopy eyes and mouth, dimpled chin, dry lips, dark eye circles, and narrow nostrils just to name a few. It can also cause chronic congestion, poor quality sleep, altered posture, and lack of nitric oxide which has numerous benefits including improved oxygen circulation in the blood.
Mouth breathing increases risk of:
- Inhaling unfiltered air
- Allergies
- Bad breath
- Tooth decay
- Gingivitis/Periodontitis
- Snoring
- Sleep Apnea
- Teeth or jaw abnormalities
Additional Information
Sleep Apnea Wake-Up Calls!!!
Can you spot the concern in the photo above???
Sleep Apnea Wake-Up Calls!!!
If you or your child present with any of the following you should not delay and look into getting help today!
- Sleep Talking
- Thrashing in Bed
- Enuresis (Bed Wetting)
- Need to use bathroom often during the night
- Sleeping in unusual positions
- Gasping
Proper Oral Rest Posture
Can you spot the concern in the photo above???
Sleep Apnea Wake-Up Calls!!!
Proper oral rest posture is imperative for proper craniofacial development, nasal breathing, and prevention of myofunctional disorders. Do you have correct oral resting posture throughout the day???
- Mouth is closed with teeth touching (or just slightly apart)
- Lips are closed.
- Tongue is resting on the roof of your mouth (the hard palate)
- Nasal breathing.
Can you spot the concern in the photo above???
Can you spot the concern in the photo above???
Can you spot the concern in the photo above???
Do you see it?
If you guessed or noticed the Tongue-Tie...you are correct!!!
Notice that tight frenum attachment to the tip of the tongue. Why would this be an issue? That tongue isn't able to function properly. Our tongues are meant to move will full range of motion. Full range of motion aids in proper tongue rest position, normal swallow mechanism, and so much more!
Therapy Services
Adult and Youth Comprehensive Therapy
Pre and Post Frenectomy Care
