Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
What is myofunctional therapy?
Myofunctional therapy is an exercise-based therapy used to treat disorders of the face, neck, head, and mouth in children and adults. These disorders are called orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). Think of myofunctional therapy as physical therapy for your mouth and face muscles – it’s similar to taking your face to the gym.
Orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs) are disorders that negatively affect the growth and development of the muscles and bones of the face and mouth. As a result, OMDs can interfere with proper function of the muscles of the face and mouth that are used for necessary functions such as eating, talking, and breathing. Myofunctional therapy addresses a range of OMDs by strengthening and retraining the face, mouth and throat muscles. Our muscle memory will allow our teeth and jaws to align properly as we grow and develop.
Learn More About Myofunctional Therapy
Myofunctional Therapy for Children
Childhood is a critical time for physical, mental, emotional and behavioral development. When children develop improper harmony of the orofacial muscles early on in life, it can lead to underdeveloped facial structures. There are many root causes including harmful oral habits, chronic congestion, narrow nasal passages, large adenoids and/or tonsils and oral ties. We often collaborate with other specialty providers to treat the root causes.
The goal of myofunctional therapy is to retrain your child’s underdeveloped and overdeveloped facial muscles. Proper tongue placement, swallowing, and chewing can be maximized to their full potential and function by engaging and strengthening the tongue and orofacial muscles. Our myofunctional therapists will customize a program for your child with specific exercises to help correct their OMDs.
Myofunctional Therapy for Children
Childhood is a critical time for physical, mental, emotional and behavioral development. When children develop improper harmony of the orofacial muscles early on in life, it can lead to underdeveloped facial structures. There are many root causes including harmful oral habits, chronic congestion, narrow nasal passages, large adenoids and/or tonsils and oral ties. We often collaborate with other specialty providers to treat the root causes.
The goal of myofunctional therapy is to retrain your child’s underdeveloped and overdeveloped facial muscles. Proper tongue placement, swallowing, and chewing can be maximized to their full potential and function by engaging and strengthening the tongue and orofacial muscles. Our myofunctional therapists will customize a program for your child with specific exercises to help correct their OMDs.
Signs & Symptoms of OMDs
- Lips are positioned apart at rest
- Rolled-out upper lip
- Chronic chapped lips
- Flattening or wrinkling of the chin when lips are closed
- Gummy smile
- Insufficient tongue space
- Tongue thrust
- Overactive gag reflex
- Forward resting head posture
- Breastfeeding difficulties
- Chewing and swallowing difficulties
- Dark circles under eyes
- Genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome
Causes of OMDs
- Prolonged thumb/finger sucking
- Prolonged bottle, sippy cups or pacifier use
- Nail biting
- Obstructed or restricted upper airway
- Deviated septum
- Low resting tongue posture
- Lip/tongue ties
- Enlarged tonsils/adenoids
- Chronic mouth breathing
- Family history of OMDs
- Genetic defects
- Developmental delays
- Neurological defects
When OMDs are Left Undiagnosed or Untreated
- Sleep disordered breathing
- Snoring
- Narrow Palate
- Crowded/Crooked teeth
- Cross bite
- Orthodontic relapse
- Craniofacial growth and appearance concerns
- Restricted facial development
- Inadequate jaw growth
- Jaw pain/TMD
- Atypical Swallowing
- Improper chewing technique
- Food aversions and texture issues
- Digestive problems
- Headaches
- Head/neck pain and tension
- Higher risk of dental cavities due to dry mouth
- Postural issues
- Breathing impairment
- Increased seasonal allergies
- Asthma
- Chronic sore throats, swollen tonsils and swollen adenoids
- Tongue thrust
- Speech impairment and speech delays
- Poor oral hygiene
Goals of Myofunctional Therapy
- Eliminate oral habits
- Achieve comfortable and easy breathing through the nose all day and all night.
- Keep your lips sealed together at rest all day and all night.
- Achieve an ideal resting tongue posture at the roof of your mouth, which includes a stable relationship and no compensation with the tongue, lips, teeth, and jaw
- Maximize the muscles of the tongue to their optimal function before, during and after a lingual frenectomy.
- Develop correct swallow pattern with food and drink.
- Create lifelong habits that will help you live a healthier and happier life.
Meet our Myofunctional Therapists
Kindee Moore, RDH, OMT
Kim Mecham, RDH, OMT
Schedule a Myofunctional Therapy Evaluation
Bend (Westside)
400 SW Bond St. #100
Bend, Oregon 97702
400 SW Bond St. #100
Bend, Oregon 97702
Bend (Eastside)
2357 NE Conners Ave. #210
Bend, Oregon 97701
Redmond, Oregon
3818 SW 21st St. #102
Redmond, OR 97756
3818 SW 21st St. #102
Redmond, OR 97756