Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy focuses on muscular patterns and postures of the mouth, face, and throat. Working towards functional patterns enables proper oral rest posture, swallowing, breathing, and speaking. Utilizing targeted exercises, we can work to create proper functioning.

Causes of OMDs:

Babies are born with a low and forward tongue position and swallow pattern which enables swallowing while breathing through the nose. At around 4 months of age, the tongue should no longer have a forward and low position. Anything that adversely effects tongue placement or function may contribute to or cause an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder. Some common contributing factors include:

  • Oral habits (thumb sucking, pacifier use, sippy cup use, teeth clenching/grinding)

  • Structural abnormalities (tongue tie, narrow palate)

  • Genetic predisposition

  • Neurological or developmental abnormalities

  • Restricted nasal airway (i.e. chronic stuffy nose, deviated septum)

  • Enlarged tonsils and adenoids

  • Allergies

Signs and symptoms of an OMD:

  • Bed wetting

  • Behavior and attention issues

  • Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching)

  • Digestive issues

  • Drooling

  • Enlarged tonsils

  • Facial/neck pain

  • Frequent ear/sinus infection

  • Mouth breathing

  • Headaches

  • Malocclusion (misaligned teeth or bite)

  • Oral habits (pacifier use, thumb sucking, nail biting)

  • Orthodontic relapse

  • Picky/messy eating

  • Poor speech articulation

  • Restless sleep/frequent waking

  • Sleep apnea

  • Snoring

  • Tethered Oral Tissues (tongue tie/lip tie)

  • TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)

  • Tongue thrust

Benefits of OMT include learning a functional swallow, proper oral rest posture, and appropriate speaking and breathing. By learning these functional skills, many of the symptoms listed above can be reduced or remediated. Improvement of oral function skills can also change facial symmetry and improve dental alignment.