What is Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy?

Did you know that your tongue's resting position can impact everything from the way you breathe, chew, and swallow to the way you look and speak?

Fortunately, you can correct an abnormal tongue position with myofunctional therapy. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) is a therapeutic approach that provides neuromuscular re-education to the muscles of the orofacial complex to promote nasal breathing, adequate lip closure, proper tongue resting position, and a healthy swallowing pattern.

Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy is designed to assess and treat various disorders related to the muscles and functions of the mouth and face involved in swallowing, breathing, and speech.  

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the ways OMT can help:

1. Improved Craniofacial Development: OMT can help guide the proper growth of the teeth and jaws, addressing issues like overbite or underbite. 
2. Enhancing speech and articulation: OMT can assist in improving speech difficulties caused by incorrect tongue positioning during speech production. By training the muscles involved in speech and establishing correct oral rest posture, individuals can develop clearer articulation and improved speech.
3. Addressing breathing issues: OMT can aid individuals with breathing difficulties, such as mouth breathing or snoring, by promoting nasal breathing and improving overall respiratory function.
4. Eliminating thumb or finger sucking habits: OMT can help break the habit of persistent thumb or finger sucking by retraining the muscles in and around the mouth, including the tongue, lips and jaw. This helps correct improper muscle patterns and function that contribute to oral habits.  
5. Improved sleep quality: OMT can help improve sleep by strengthening the muscles of the mouth and throat to prevent airway blockage and sleep apnea. 
6. Enhanced Orthodontic results: OMT helps maintain proper alignment after braces or other treatments, and can even help prevent the need for orthodontics in some cases. 
7. Reduced dental decay and improved diet: OMT can help improve oral hygiene and encourage a wider variety of food choices. 
8. Alleviation of head, neck, jaw, and ear pain: OMT can prevent pain caused by dysfunctional muscle use and compensatory patterns. 
9. Improved facial appearance: By addressing orofacial muscle dysfunctions, OMT can contribute to a more favorable facial profile. 
10. Improved mental wellness and confidence: OMT can improve overall quality of life by addressing issues like sleep problems, pain, and difficulty speaking or eating.