Myofunctional Therapy
Where to start
If you or your child have any of the concerns mentioned below, call me to schedule a free consultation or assessment to determine if proceeding to a paid comprehensive initial evaluation is right for you or your child. I prefer to do the initial evaluation in person and the following treatment or sessions can be in person or virtual.
Once we have discovered the need for myofunctional therapy, we will schedule a time for a comprehensive initial evaluation. The evaluation will help me gather information regarding your health history, childhood history, dental or orthodontic history, speech history, sleep problems, tension/posture concerns along with any other pertinent information needed to develop the right therapy plan for you. I will create an individualized program to retrain your orofacial muscles and improve function. Some goals of your training might include normalizing the resting posture for your tongue and lips, establishing nasal breathing patterns, or eliminating harmful habits like thumb-sucking. Therapy consists of numerous sessions in which we will review symptoms, review exercises from previous session, and teach new exercises for the following weeks based on your or your child's progress.
Please keep in mind, myofunctional therapy is just a piece of the puzzle. Consider me your guide and personal trainer. I will GUIDE and direct you to the appropriate physicians or healthcare providers that can offer you the best care and diagnosis for you. Sometimes you may need to be referred to an ENT, Allergist, Sleep Physician, Physical Therapist, Dietician, Orthodontist, or Oral Surgeon. I will TRAIN your orofacial muscles and improve function with 4 goals in mind. These goals include proper mouth posture (lips closed), proper tongue posture (tongue up on palate), nasal breathing, and correct swallow.
Myofunctional therapy takes time and commitment on your end. Consistency in exercises allow for development and memory of the muscles of the muscles to make it into a lifelong habit. Practicing these positions, exercises and movements will increase your muscle strength and coordination and are completely dependent on whether or not you do the required work.
Myofunctional therapy for children requires the parents or guardians to be on board as well as the child to ensure success. It must be considered a team approach!
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
Comprehensive collaborative program focusing on 3 phases. Phase I (Intensive) which focuses on correcting mouth posture, tongue posture, nasal breathing, and correct swallow pattern. Phase II (Habituation) focuses on breathing posture, stretching, and sleep hygiene. Lastly Phase III (Retention) focuses on continuation of the habit to ensure you get the benefits of therapy long term. The comprehensive therapy includes the comprehensive evaluation, individualized therapy indicated approximately every 1-2 weeks, and follow up appointments at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months.
Basic (Phase I ) Myofunctional Therapy Plan
This basic therapy plan focuses mainly on Phase I (Intensive). We focus on correcting mouth posture, tongue posture, nasal breathing, and correct swallow. This therapy includes the comprehensive evaluation, weekly individualized therapy indicated, and follow up appointments at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months. This therapy is for those with NO sleep or breathing issues.
Pre and Post Frenectomy Care
This Pre and Post frenectomy therapy plan focuses on Phase I (Intensive). We focus on correcting mouth posture, tongue posture, nasal breathing, and correct swallow. This therapy is for those who have tongue-ties or tethered oral tissues (TOT's) and need a release from a provider. This therapy includes comprehensive evaluation and starts 2 months prior to lingual release followed by individualized therapy indicated and follow up appointments at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months post therapy.
Habit Elimination Therapy
This therapy plan is for small children with habit elimination needs. Many times myofunctional therapy can correct a habit by focusing on correct oral resting posture and if other OMD's are present, it may be best to complete comprehensive therapy. If simply wanting to focus on the habit elimination only, then this option is available. We will focus on the correct oral resting posture, however, this program focuses on the habit present and requires the full cooperation of the child AS WELL AS the parents! This therapy includes the comprehensive evaluation and individualized therapy indicated.
