What is Myofunctional Therapy?

Orofacial myofunctional therapy is a program used to correct the improper function of the tongue and facial muscles. It involves strengthening of the tongue and orofacial muscles by teaching individuals how to engage the muscles in the appropriate position.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) focuses on muscles of the face and mouth and teaches clients how to breathe, posture, swallow, and speak correctly.  Its main focus is creating a healthy balance between orofacial structure and function. When these functions are impaired, an Orofacial Myofunctional Disorder (OMD) exists.  ​  

The goal of OMT is to help ensure proper oral rest posture which means you have your tongue resting on the roof of your mouth with teeth slightly open and lips sealed while utilizing nasal breathing.  We should be using proper oral rest posture at all times unless eating, drinking or talking.  

Orofacial Myofunctional Disorders (OMDs) are disorders of the muscles and functions of the face and mouth. OMDs may affect, directly and/or indirectly, sleep apnea, facial skeletal growth and development, breathing, chewing, swallowing, speech, occlusion, head and neck pain, temporomandibular joint movement, oral hygiene, stability of orthodontic treatment, facial esthetics, restricted facial and lingual frenum, forward head posture, incorrect oral habits and more.

OMDs affect all ages and can have a different impact on an individual’s quality of life based on the severity of the disorder and time left untreated.  A few examples of untreated OMDs include:

Poor sleep                                                                                       Snoring           

Headaches                                                                                      TMJ pain or jaw locking/popping           

Prolonged Oral habits (Thumb sucking, pacifier, etc)                 Feeding difficulties           

Poor speech                                                                                    Mouth always open           

Drooling                                                                                           Chapped lips           

Crooked teeth                                                                                 Long facial growth           

Recessed chin                                                                                 Heart-shaped tongue          

Enlarged tonsils                                                                              Difficulty nasal breathing           

Dark circles under eyes                                                                  Difficulty swallowing           

Teeth grinding                                                                                 Bedwetting           

Frequent Ear Infections                                                                  Digestive Issues           

Depression/Anxiety                                                                        Fatigue           

Daytime Drowsiness                                                                       ADD/ADHD           

Teeth Clenching                                                                               Relapse of Orthodontic Treatment

Neck, face, shoulder pain                                                               Headaches/migraines

Poor posture

HOW DOES POOR ORAL REST POSTURE IMPACT SPEECH ARTICULATION?  Where our tongue, jaw and lips sit at rest is where we begin talking from.  If your rest posture is abnormal (for example with the tongue resting low and forward in the mouth against the lower front teeth versus in correct position resting on the roof of the mouth) the tongue has further it has to move in order to produce clear and articulate speech.  This can result in "mumbled speech" or parents saying their child sounds like they have "marbles in their mouth".  Articulation of specific speech sounds may also be impacted and common speech sound errors include: t, d, n, l, s, z, r, "ch" and "j".  Without first correcting the oral rest posture it will be difficult to fully correct these sound errors with traditional speech therapy.

There are many diagnostic criteria that must be considered in the formulation of a therapy program.  Age, motivation, as well as current orthodontic treatment must all be taken into account.  The age of the child is not as important as the motivation to succeed and ability to commit to the therapy program (attention/behaviour).  Early identification and intervention such as eliminating sucking habits, or identifying other causative factors can allow for more typical dental growth and abnormal habits will not be ingrained. 

• Motivation - Success in therapy is directly and inescapably dependent upon the individual’s motivation,  cooperation and self-discipline with the home assignments.  
• Parent involvement and encouragement is essential. Therefore, parents must participate in the therapy sessions with their child, to learn the exercises and assist in the daily exercises at home.  
• Age and maturity of the individual.  
• Severity of the poor oral rest posture and tongue thrust swallow.  
• Control and coordination of the appropriate musculature.  
• Attention span of the individual.  
• Attitude of the individual and parents.