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High Palate<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/i><\/span>Recessed jaw<\/div><\/li>
<\/i><\/span>Excessive drooling<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
Children<\/h4>\n
Myofunctional therapy helps children overcome challenges with speech, chewing, and swallowing. It also works to improve oral habits, correct tongue thrust, and provide valuable support during orthodontic treatment.<\/p>\n
Myofunctional Therapy may be right for your child if they show signs such as:<\/p>\n<\/div>
- <\/i><\/span>
Speech difficulties<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>
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Trouble chewing or swallowing<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>
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Thumb sucking or other oral habits<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>
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Tongue thrust<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
Adults<\/h4>\n
Adults can benefit from myofunctional therapy to restore proper oral function, enhance breathing, and complement dental or orthodontic care.<\/p>\n
You could benefit from Myofunctional Therapy if you exhibit any of the following:<\/p>\n<\/div>
- <\/i><\/span>
Have speech or swallowing difficulties<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>
Experience mouth breathing or snoring<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>
Have ongoing orthodontic issues<\/div><\/li>
- <\/i><\/span>
Suffer from TMJ or jaw pain<\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Problems related to an OMD<\/h4>\n
Often the most obvious symptom of incorrect oral posture involves the muscles of the face. A dull, sluggish appearance and full, weak lips develop when muscles aren\u2019t operating normally.<\/p>\n
Constantly parted lips (with or without mouth breathing) also signal this disorder. A person swallowing incorrectly will often purse and tighten the muscles of the cheeks, chin and lips \u2013 a symptom known as a facial grimace. This can give the chin a knobby\u00a0appearance because these muscles are being overused.<\/p>\n
\n- The face can have a dull sluggish appearance when the muscles are not in proper balance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- An incorrect swallow will purse and tighten the muscles of the cheeks, chin, and lips, causing a facial grimace<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Mouth breathing or constantly open lips is a cause and\/or signal of tongue thrust and low tongue rest posture.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Dental Problems related to an OMD<\/h4>\n
When a person swallows incorrectly, the tip and\/or sides of the tongue press against or spread between the teeth. This is commonly called a tongue thrust. Constant pressure from resting or incorrectly thrusting the tongue away from the hard palate may push teeth out of place. That pressure may later prevent teeth from erupting (breaking through the gum).<\/p>\n
An OMD may lead to an abnormal bite \u2013 the improper alignment between the upper and lower teeth known as malocclusion. This problem may lead to difficulties in biting, chewing, swallowing, and digesting of food.<\/p>\n
\n- Tongue thrust is the act of pushing the tongue against or between the teeth when swallowing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- The constant pressure of the tongue against or between the teeth will not allow the teeth to bite together. This is known as an open bite.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- An improper alignment or malocclusion between the upper and lower teeth can lead to difficulties in biting and chewing food.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Speech Problems that may develop from an OMD<\/h4>\n
A person with abnormal oral muscle patterns may suffer a lisp or have difficulty in articulating sounds. If muscles in the tongue and lips are incorrectly postured, this can prevent a person from forming sounds of normal speech.<\/p>\n
Improper oral muscle function may additionally lead to TMJ dysfunction, headaches, stomach distress (from swallowing air), airway obstruction, and other health challenges.<\/p>\n
Multi-Disciplinary Approach<\/h4>\n
A properly trained myofunctional therapist is one member of a team that will successfully treat an OMD. Other allied professionals such as dentists, orthodontists, pediatrician, pediatric dentists, and doctors of osteopathic medicine, can ensure that the patient\u2019s needs are addressed and handled appropriately. We feel that the patient needs to be looked at from a variety of approaches in order to be successful in treatment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Positive Impact<\/h4>\n
Myofunctional therapy offers a powerful, non-invasive approach to improving overall health by addressing the root causes of oral and facial muscle dysfunction. By retraining the muscles of the tongue, lips, and face, this therapy supports proper breathing, swallowing, posture, and sleep. Clients often experience relief from issues such as mouth breathing, snoring, TMJ discomfort, and orthodontic relapse. Beyond these physical benefits, myofunctional therapy can also enhance focus, energy levels, and quality of life-making it a transformative component of whole-body wellness.<\/p>\n
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