Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy treats the underlying dysfunction of chewing, breathing, and swallowing and helps to correct poor oral and tongue posture through neurologic re-education. There are more than 30 clinical markers (including TMJ disorder) of an orofacial myofunctional disorder- early prevention is KEY!

Do you need myofunctional therapy?

1. Eliminate or minimize oral habits

2. Establish nasal breathing

3. Achieve lip competence

4. Attain a palatal tongue rest position: anterior and posterior

5. Activate the back of the tongue so the whole tongue is in the palate

6. Tone the pharyngeal muscles

7. Promote function posture training (head and neck posture)

Goals of Myofunctional Therapy

Do you identify with any of these clinical markers correlated to dysfunctional oral patterns

  • Mouth Breathing

  • Open mouth posture

  • TMJD (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction)

  • Clenching and Bruxism (teeth grinding)

  • Tongue Thrusting - (tongue pushes forward into your teeth when you swallow)

  • Tongue tie or Lip tie

  • Difficulty Swallowing

  • Poor oral habits/parafunctional activities- nail biting, cheek biting

  • Inability to masticate food properly, open mouth chewing

  • Facial muscle dysfunction

  • Weak, tight, or overactive masseter muscles

  • Speech misarticulations

  • Enlarged tonsils and adenoids

  • Sleep disorders/Sleep apnea

  • Low resting tongue posture

  • Snoring

  • Malocclusions

  • Cavities and gum disease

  • Changes in saliva quantity and quality

  • Restricted maxilla/High Palate

  • Tongue scalloping

  • Craniofacial dysfunctions

  • Allergic shiners, venous pooling (dark circles under eyes)

  • Eustachian tubes dysfunction

  • Facial Aesthetic changes

  • Macroglossia

  • Abnormal breathing

  • Tinnitus

  • Sensitive gag reflex

  • History of orthodontics or repeat orthodontics

  • Forward Head and Neck Posture

  • ADHD

  • Frequent congestion

  • Asthma or other breathing issues

  • Anxiety

  • Incorrect swallowing may be linked to GERD

  • Oral tissue irritation

  • Lack of Lip seal (mouth breathing) may lead to occlusal dysfunction